Air travel means that exotic foreign destinations are now only hours away, but there is a downside to travelling vast distances in a short time – the dreaded jet lag. Jet lag can make you feel like you are on a strange planet -almost like being in the Twilight Zone. The reality is that you are a time traveller, racing through time zones and throwing your body clock out of whack. The earth rotates on its axis once every 24 hours and the electromagnetic system of your body, your biological clock, is controlled by this 24-hour cycle. You need to wind it up and reset it to get with the flow.
It is said that it can take one day to recuperate from each time zone change you make. Who wants to be out of it for that long? Most people suffer more heading east, as reflected in the saying, ‘East’s a beast and west is best.’ However, there are things you can do to reduce your tiredness and get back on your feet.
Alternative jet lag cures
- Trace the inner sole of your shoes on brown paper with the shiny side down -trust me, there is a shiny side. Place the paper soles in your shoes. I am told that a top Hollywood executive swears by it! So does my well-travelled friend Kate.
- Free Press travel writer Gerry Volgenau recommends shining a bright light on the back of both your knees for a short time before you fly. There is no scientific proof that this works, but the theory is that bright light on this thin-skinned area will affect the natural secretion of melatonin, a hormone that tells the body it is in need of sleep.
- I am a great believer in the use of melatonin and have regularly used a supplement on my overseas journeys. I take one pill the first night after arrival in a new time zone, which helps to regulate my sleep patterns, and have never suffered any side effects.
- Eliminating fatty foods for 48 hours prior to travel can also help. Eat plenty of carbohydrates and vegetables during your flight and choose the healthy option or vegetarian choice on the airline menu. Some of these may require pre-booking so don’t forget. Even if it doesn’t help to eliminate jet lag, it’s great for the waistline.
