Jet Lag Remedies

Jet lag, for those who don’t know, is the effect of travelling between time zones upsetting the bodies biological clock. It is defined as:

“A physiological condition which is a consequence of alterations to circadian rhythms”

The effects of jet lag can vary. Some people suffer a few days of restless sleep whereas others can experience loss in appetite, headaches, constipation, anxiety and dizziness. There are a number of ways in which jet lag can be alleviated and the effects minimised. Here are a few ideas:

Tasimelteon: This is a new drug developed by Elizabeth Klerman of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston along with researchers from Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Maryland. Tests have shown that those taking the drug found it easier to get to sleep than those who had not taken the drug. It is thought that Tasimeteon stimulates the effects of Melatonin, the hormone responsible for regulating sleep.

Melatonin: The hormone Melatonin is now a popular remedy for sleep related problems. Melatonin supplements can be bought (in the United States) without a prescription. Melatonin research has presented a clear association with sleep and supplements providing 0.1 to 0.5 milligrams of the hormone can be all that is required to help get off to sleep.

Fasting: Minimising the amount of food you consume before embarking on your flight can help lessen the effects of jet lag. Studies have shown that, when food is scarce, the normal biological clock may be overridden. It has been suggested that a period of fasting, for about 16 hours before taking a flight, should be enough to switch the new biological clock into action.

Orange Tinted Sun-glasses: It has long been known that Melatonin secretion in humans can be stimulated by light. Light from the blue end of the spectrum has been found to provoke a decrease in Melatonin production. It is therefore likely that wearing orange tinted sunglasses will encourage Melatonin secretion.

Toe Scrunching: Some travellers have reported that spending a few minutes tightly curling their toes while standing on a carpet or towel, just before going to bed, has a beneficial effect on jet lag. Some have reported that exercising in this way for between 2 and 5 minutes has had an immediate beneficial effect on their ability to get off to sleep.

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