Jet Lag: how to survive jet lag this summer?

If you have ever travelled overseas you probably have dealt with jet lag. To help you deal with the effects of this phenomenon we  will explain what it is and how to limit its impact on your body. 

Better understand Jet Lag and its effects on us

To understand Jet Lag, you must first know that our body operates in 24-hour sleep-wake cycles. During each of these cycles, our body produces a hormone, melatonin, in varying amounts. During the day, the melatonin level is very low. The darker it gets, i.e. at the end of the day and throughout the night, the higher it gets.  

The problem with  jet lag arises because this sleep-wake cycle is disrupted. When you travel by plane across multiple time zones. Your body doesn’t keep up  with this new rhythm! Your body will be aware of the change in external light, but it will take several days to adjust your melatonin level, and therefore your sleep-wake cycle.

In general,  Jet Lag is more noticeable when you travel to Europe, If you are going on holiday in a country where the time zone is -7 hours in relation to where you live, it could take you up to 7 days to feel that you have been adapted to this new schedule. 

Beyond 2 hours of jet lag, several symptoms due to Jet Lag can occur:

• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Difficulties in concentrating
• Irritability
• Digestive disorders

These symptoms are mild and disappear after a few days. However, they are still difficult to bear. So to avoid letting Jet Lag ruin  your holiday, here are some helpful tips that are easy to follow…

Tips to help you adjust to a new time zone

Set your watch to the arrival time
By setting your watch, or telephone clock, to the time of the country of arrival as soon as you board the plane, you will be able to start getting used to the new schedule that awaits you. This will tell you if it is time to eat or sleep. This simple little gesture will help you feel the Jet Lag less when you arrive.

Put Your phone and Tablet down
If it’s time to sleep during your flight, turn your phone and tablet off,and read a  book instead. Indeed, the light emitted by the screens (phones, tablets…) can further disrupt your sleep-wake cycle and aggravate the effects of jet lag.

Drink smart
Before you get on the plane, during the flight and during the hours after landing, your best ally l water! Forget tea, coffee, sodas or even alcohol. All these drinks have an impact on your sleep-wake cycle and may disturb it even more. 

No to sleeping pills
You might be tempted to swallow a  sleeping pill to manage to sleep on the plane… Again, as with the drinks mentioned above, this would be a mistake! Sleeping pills will disrupt your circadian rhythm .By taking the sleeping pill it can make your recovery time longer.

Take advantage of natural remedies
Homeopathy is an excellent ally to prevent and soothe the symptoms of jet lag. 

• Jet Lag Homeocan Tablets contain Chamomile, a plant known for its beneficial action on our body. You can start taking these tablets 1 hour before departure and continue taking them until 2 to 3 days after landing. 

• To help your internal clock recover, Homeocan Jet Lag Combination Pellets is an ideal remedy. By taking of 3 granules per dose, 3 times a day, it will simply and naturally help you to reduce the symptoms of jet lag.

Adopt the local rhythm
Once you get there, try to adapt immediately to the local time. Eat your meals at the right time, try to go to bed at a reasonable time and, above all, make the most of the daylight hours and do some light physical exercise, such as walking. 

All these tips will help you survive jet lag and make the most of every minute of your vacation!