Who doesnt dread jet lag? Yet, a lot of us are going to be taking to the skies and traveling across time zones to celebrate the holidays with our loved ones, especially our much-missed grandchildren. Well, dont fret too much. At the very least, the disturbing shock of shifting time zones can be minimized; at most, it can be almost eliminated.
Most long-distance travelers suffer circadian dysrhythmia jet lag as their bodies try to make adjustment to radical changes in eating and sleeping schedules as the result of being plopped down in an environment thousands of miles away from, and several hours different than, their normal habitat. However, the effects can be minimized, medical and travel experts say, by the following guidelines:
Begin your trip well rested and relaxed. Skip the bon voyage party or last minute rushing around and packing.
If possible, reset your body clock gradually before your trip. If your destination is five hours ahead of your home base, for example, start going to bed and getting up an hour earlier beginning five days before your departure, thus shifting back an hour to a new time zone each day. By the day you leave, youll be on your destinations time.
Starting three days before departure, alternate a day of greater food intake with a day of moderate fasting during the former, eat a protein-rich breakfast and lunch, and a dinner high in carbohydrates.
Once aboard your flight, limit your imbibing to a single glass of wine with the meal. It can help you relax or sleep on a night flight. Also, eat moderately. Skip caffeine-containing beverages coffee, tea, cola. They will make you feel more tired and depressed, and may slow down the resetting of your body clock. Get some exercise. Walk around the plane. Do some of the sitting exercises developed for long-distances travelers by Scandinavian Airlines: (1) Jog in our seat for three minutes. Raise your heels alternately as high as possible, at the same time raising your arm in bent position and rocking rhythmically forward and back, as you do when walking. (2) Improve blood circulation to your legs. Sit with elbows on the knees, bending forward with your whole weight pressed down on your knees, lift up on our toes, pushing your heels as high as possible. Then lift up on your heels, pushing your toes up. Repeat thirty times. (3) Rotate your shoulders and do head rolls. Other passengers may wonder whats going on. If they ask, pass along the tip! Allow time to rest when you get to your destination, if possible a whole day before fully partaking in activities, two days if youve crossed seven to ten times zones. If youve traveled far enough to reverse the day-night cycle, three days of rest are recommended, particularly if youre a senior or are afflicted with insomnia.People with some medical conditions should not fly at all, most doctors agree. These include people with collapsed lungs, severe emphysema, and serious heart conditions. Also the American Medical Association adds, people with contagious diseases (including sever colds and flu) and those with large unsupported hernias.
Flying should be postponed in the case of anyone who has undergone intestinal surgery. A wait of two weeks is suggested. Heart-attack victims should wait three to six weeks. In general, if youve been sick or had surgery, check with your doctor before checking in at the gate.Because air pressure decreases as the plane climbs higher into the sky, people with colds, allergies, and sinus infections often find that flying leads to sharp head pains. If youre suffering from one, try pinching your nose tightly closed and blowing it. That should help equalize the pressure in the nasal and air passages. Decongestants swallowed shortly before takeoff help too and make you drowsy. Once you land youll have been well rested, and ready to greet your loved ones.About the author: Robin Westen writes about health for national magazines.See what others have to say about this story or write a comment of your own.
