According to various studies, you require one day per one-hour time zone crossed to regain normal rhythm and energy levels. A five-hour time difference means you will require five days to recover. But every second is precious!

Jet lag leads to fatigue, dehydration and disorientation, accompanied by a lack of concentration and motivation, especially for activities that require cognitive skills such as reading or negotiating a business deal.

Why Does Jet Lag Occur?

Crossing time zones is the major cause of jet lag though not the only cause. The more time your body takes to adjust to changes in your sleep-wake cycle, the more you are affected.

A few things that cause jet lag, can make your domestic flight miserable too. Being stressed, nervous or hung over during the flight are some of them. As are coffee, tea and those alcoholic drinks in-flight. Remaining glued to your seat for hours, airline food (How do they manage to make it that awful?) and stale cabin air add to it all.

Here are a Few Tips for You Frequent Fliers.

These can, not only help avoid jet lag, but also make your long flights a little easier on you.

• Drink a lot of water. Water is the miracle panacea (if any). Not coffee, not alcohol, not even juice.
• Try your best to sleep. Start trying during takeoff (which is a natural sleep inducer). Use blankets, pillows, earplugs,…whatever it takes.
• Get your feet up if possible (even if it makes you look awkward).
• Eat lightly when you are onboard.

Can You Do Something Specifically to Prevent Jet Lag?

There is no sure shot remedy, but there are many tips in addition to the above measures.

• Catch up on your sleep BEFORE the flight.
• Try to take a daytime flight.
• Once onboard, set your watch to match destination time.
• Sleeping pills are not a good idea. They can induce a comatose state and make you more prone to developing blood clots in your legs.
• Stretch your legs, walk around as much as possible and try to freshen up during stopovers.
• Once you reach your destination, start eating and sleeping on the new schedule.

Did Anyone Say Melatonin?

Yes, you have the option of taking Melatonin to prevent jet lag.

Melatonin is a hormone that regulates our sleep-wake cycle. It is believed that air travel disturbs the balance of this hormone by disrupting sleep patterns. Remember that Melatonin is not regulated by drug control agencies and is not the medical remedy for jet lag. However, it does work for most people.

The aim here is for you to be in bed and asleep during the normal nighttime hours of the place you are flying to. Melatonin helps you sleep at the right time at the right place. Take Melatonin at the wrong time and you will complicate matters. A small dose (0.1 to 0.5 mg) helps most people sleep.

If you are flying eastward, take one dose of Melatonin, between 6 and 7 p.m. your time. On the day you arrive, and for the next four days, take one dose of Melatonin at destination bedtime (between 9 and 10 p.m. local time of where you now are). Simple enough?

If you are flying westward, on the day you arrive, wherever it is you are going, take one dose of Melatonin at bedtime (destination local time) and continue this for the next four days. Melatonin does not help much if you are crossing more than five time zones.

There could be minor side effects with Melatonin such as daytime drowsiness, headaches, and unusual dreams. Very rarely, major complications such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and headaches can occur, especially with high doses.

Do not take it if you are pregnant, breast-feeding or taking any other medication regularly. Talk to your doctor about taking Melatonin to prevent jet lag and ask for a suitable dose.

Have a nice flight !