The United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) defines jet lag as a sleep disorder that affects some individuals who travel quickly across multiple time zones.
In layman's terms, jet lag can be described as being extremely tired after flying across different time zones.
Some of the symptoms of jet lag include headache, fatigue, insomnia, mood swings, and lack of appetite.
Not known to many, symptoms of being jet lagged worsen the further a person travels. It is alleged this increases when you travel east.
The airline cabin pressure and the atmosphere are associated with being jet lagged.
It is also believed that age contributes to being jet lagged. Due to this, they may need more time to recover.
However, there are a few easy steps to deal with being jet lagged.
During the flight, ensure you drink plenty of water. Try walking around the cabin, and do not drink too much caffeine or alcohol as they can worsen the effects.
After you land, since you will be in a new time zone, try and adjust to the sleep schedule to help your body clock adjust.
Enough rest before and during the flight will help reduce the effects. Carry noise-canceling headphones, eye masks, ear plugs, comfortable travel, and pillows and blankets to help you sleep.
"Jet lag interrupts your internal clock in part because your exposure to light changes when you travel and change time zones. You can also use special lamps to expose yourself to light," medical experts noted.
Some experts argue that long-term exposure to frequent time zone change may lead to an increased risk of developing some health conditions even through there is little evidence.
