Jet Lag and Insomnia

The emerging of budget airlines has change our lifestyle tremendously. Now we can travel by air more frequently and stand a higher chance of getting jet lag.

Jet lag is caused due to temporary disruption of bodily rhythms caused by high-speed travel across several time zones typically in a jet aircraft.

Let us do a simple test on jet lag symptoms:
- Eyes irritating and dryness
- lack of appetite
- dryness on lips and tongue
- headache
- unable to concentrate
- insomnia

Now let's see how we can minimise and address on jet lag.

1. Take a good rest before journey
Many people tends to stay up late before they take on flight so that they can sleep during the journey. This will actually makes you suffer from jet lag as your body is not able to adjust to the local time zone of visiting country. In fact, you should take a ample rest before the journey as it will helps our body to adjust gradually due to different time zone.

2. Brightness control
In general, our biological clock is affected by four major factors which are: 1) Brightness; 2) Sleeping; 3) Exercise and 4) Diet. Brightness is the most critical factor which affect our body biological system. By adapting to brightness, we can minimise the effect of jet lag.

3. Adjustment on diet and exercise
We should take some light meal before flight. Avoid heavy meal and oily diet as it will caused indigestion. Drinking adequate amount of plain water during flight is important due to dry air on the cabin. Beverages contains caffeine and alcohol should be avoided during flight.

4. Stay alert on low productive time
Most people will feel sleepy and tired easilly on 3 to 4 am early morning. If you reach the destination around 3 to 4 am, try to keep a clear mind and stay alert as you tend to makes more mistake as your concentration level is lowest during that time.