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There are things you can do to prepare ahead to deal with jet lag and make your next business or pleasure trip not spent with several days trying to catch up with sleep to start feeling like yourself. Jet lag can ruin your business or pleasure trip when you are traveling abroad. Recognizing the fact that your body experiences changes, and making the necessary adjustments provide you with the opportunity to have successful business trip or a wonderful enjoyable vacation. Failing to make adjustments to your natural body clock will cause lost time ( sometimes up to four days), days that are wasted simply because you did not plan ahead.

Jet lag is a condition where you feel fatigued, suffer from insomnia and irritability that is caused by air travel when you are changing time zones. Your body is accustomed to certain periods of night and day alternating at set intervals. Your body's regulating hormones follow this cycle which is known as circadian rhythm. Your body temperature, sleepiness, thyroid function,metabolic processes, adrenal hormones all cycle with daylight.

When you travel through a few time zones it is not as disruptive to the circadian rhythms as traveling around the world can be. The leading symptom of jet lag is altered sleeping patterns, sleepiness during the day, and insomnia during the night. You may also experience indigestion and have trouble concentrating.

Examples of precautions you can take during an international flight to prevent jet lag are:

* Drink plenty of water and juices to prevent dehydration. Avoid beverages with caffeine because of their stimulating properties. Also avoid alcohol during the flight.

* Get up and walk during the flight to help your circulation. Walking keeps nutrients and waste moving in the body and aids in elimination.

* Set your watch ahead to the time in your destination city to help you start adjusting to the change.

* Plan your sleep, pull down the shade and sleep during the evening hours in your destination city, even if it still daylight outside the airplane. Use earplugs and sleep masks to help facilitate a sleeping environment.

* Wear comfortable clothes and bring a pair of slippers that will help make sleeping easier.

* When you arrive at the destination city, spend as much time outdoors in the sunlight to reset your internal clock and decrease symptoms of jet lag.

When you arrive at your destination city, ask the hotel to hold all your phone calls. Do not sleep in late because this will only prolong jet lag. Set your alarm clock to wake up early or ask the hotel for an early wake up call. Adjust the room temperature so it is comfortable for sleeping.

Taking extra doses of vitamins A,C and E as well as zinc and selenium, at least two days before your flight and two days after your flight to alleviate jet lag. Some individuals find using melatonin which is a hormone that helps regulate the circadian rhythm is also helpful in combating jet lag. You can purchase melatonin at most health food stores and it is recommended that you use no more than 3mg in a 24 hour period.

Jet lag usually lasts anywhere form 24 to 48 hours after you have arrived at your destination city. After that, the body will usually adjust to the time change when you have had enough rest and daytime exposure to sunlight.

Learn more about this author, D. P. Noe.
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