Building strength, balance, power and grace from within
Jet Lag
Most everyone has heard of Jet Lag. If you have taken a trip across time zones, you have experienced it too. Jet Lag occurs when your biological rhythms are disrupted due to rapid transitions across time zones. When traveling west, the normal cycles are lengthened and when traveling east, the normal cycles are shortened.
-
It generally takes 1 day per time zone traveled to acclimate.
-
Severity may be worse 2-3 days after flight.
-
It is easier to travel west than east.
Symptoms
-
Upset stomach
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Feeling tired
- Disorientation
- Loss of concentration
- Lack of drive
Altitude Sickness can occur because of decreased oxygen, low barometric pressure and dry air. This can result in dehydration, headache and shortness of breath.
Avoiding Jet Lag
-
Drink plenty of water.
-
Avoid caffeine, carbonation and alcohol.
-
Maintain regular mealtimes and eating habits
-
Move about as much as possible on long flights/drives.
-
Get plenty of sleep before, during and after your trip.
-
Prior to leaving, adjust schedule to new time zone as soon as able (especially if there is not much time to acclimate upon arriving).
-
Adjust clocks & activities to new time zone immediately.
-
On the arrival date, eat high carbohydrate/low protein dinner before bed.
-
Follow that with a higher protein/lower carbohydrate breakfast.
More about Jet Lag
Jet-Lag: Encyclopedia of Sports Medicine and Science
Join our List
When it comes to life balance and performance habits, where are you? Receive our FREE self assessment tool and quarterly newsletter when you join our update list. We respect your privacy and will never give your information to a third party. Unsubscribe at any time.
Newsletters
Advertisements