Jet Lag - How Can Air Travelers Reduce The Risk When They Fly?

In their findings, many medical experts state that air travelers usually experience a worse bout of jet lag when they fly from east to west. In general, the more time zones travelers fly across, flying from east to west, the more severe the their symptoms of jet lag will be. However, passengers will only experience a milder case of jet lag when they are on air flights traveling from west to east.

If travelers fly north to south, or south to north, for thousands of miles, they will not experience jet lag. But when the pilot of the airplane starts flying in an east to west direction and crosses more than one or two time zones, they can experience jet lag.

Passengers will not usually have the symptoms of jet lag until they exit the plane. That is the time their biological clocks will start to make internal adjustments inside their bodies to coincide more closely with the local time at their destination. If air travelers cross one, or even two time zones, their bodies usually adjusts very quickly. However, if travelers are in poor health or not feeling well before the flight, jet lag can compound the problem.

The following information may lessen the effects of jet lag when you fly.

Try to catch a flight that arrives at your vacation destination in daylight hours. Immediately fit in with the new time zone and do not go to bed. If you feel tired and want to take a short snooze, do it in a well lighted place.

In the evening, go to sleep in a darkened room. The darkness will help prepare your brain for sleep.

Try to avoid looking at television or computer screens as they are bright and have high frequencies that can easily over-stimulate your brain.

Try not to consume alcohol or any drinks such as coffee and soda that contain caffeine as they can disrupt your sleep.

It maybe helpful to take a melatonin tablet or capsule (as many air travelers do) in the early evening (your time) to help you adjust to the time zone at your destination. You still may have to take a melatonin pill for the next three or four evenings in a row before going to bed in this new location to help you readjust your biological clock. If you have never taken melatonin before, you should consult with your doctor or local pharmacist for more information in regards to the suggested dosage.

Dorothy Yamich has a passion for travel. She has lived and traveled extensively throughout Europe as well as traveled in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. She is a travel consultant and specializes in luxury cruises as well as vacation packages. To quickly find and book cheap airfares, at the best price possible, every time you feel like traveling, visit Travel Tips Guide, for more information.