Table of contents:
- What is jet lag?
- How does jet lag occur?
- Myth or fact: Don't eat until you have arrived at your destination
- Myth or fact: Jetlag is caused by not getting enough sleep
- Myth or fact: Jet lag will only make you feel tired
- Myth or fact: Book a night flight to avoid jet lag
- Myth or fact: Don't take naps to avoid jet lag
- Myth or fact: Jet lag can be avoided
Jet lag is a "friend" that is not missed for those of you who like to travel across the globe. However, does jet lag really exist and is not just a suggestion?
What is jet lag?
Jetlag is a temporary sleep problem that occurs after you have made a long flight across several different time zones. Jet lag makes your body's biological clock have to adapt to changing times. The more time zones you cross, the more likely you are to experience jet lag.
How does jet lag occur?
In general, the biological clock plays a role in moving circadian rhythms to control body systems, from blood pressure to hunger time to your sleep schedule.
Your body's biological clock is controlled by the sleepy hormone melatonin, which is produced when it gets dark to control your body temperature while you sleep. When you fly to a different time zone, the biological clock is reset to adapt to the new environment so that it becomes out of sync with your habitual routine. It should take each person a few days to adjust to a different time zone depending on the many time zones that are passed. and the direction of travel.
Unfortunately, the ignorance of many people creates misconceptions about jet lag. Hence, here are some myths about jetlag that you need to know.
Myth or fact: Don't eat until you have arrived at your destination
Myth. There are some people who believe that to avoid jetlag, you should avoid eating a maximum of the day before departure or do not eat at all before arriving at your destination. The reason is, you will force your body into the fasting phase. The thing is, while it can help you sleep faster on flights, it can be a big problem when you get to your destination, especially on east-west flights.
Did you know that recovering from jet lag after a long flight eastward will be more difficult than going west? This is because traveling east causes time to pass faster, making the adaptation process more difficult.
Eating before departure is okay for healthy food and not too much. As much as possible do not skip meals, because this will have an impact on your health and recovery of jet lag later.
Myth or fact: Jetlag is caused by not getting enough sleep
Correct. The main cause of jet lag is lack of sleep. Some other things that can cause jet lag are the presence of cabin pressure, lack of fresh air on board, lack of fluid and food intake, and your physical condition that is not fit from the start. One thing that is certain to cause jet lag is that you are crossing different time zones and messing up your body's biological clock.
Myth or fact: Jet lag will only make you feel tired
Myth. Jet lag doesn't just make you feel tired due to the different time zones. Other symptoms that may arise due to jet lag can vary, including excessive drowsiness, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, diarrhea, mood swings, etc. These symptoms can last a day or two - and will tend to get worse if you travel eastward.
Myth or fact: Book a night flight to avoid jet lag
Myth. If you want to avoid jet lag, one of the easiest ways you can do this is to order daytime flights, not at night. When you book a daytime flight, you can sleep a few hours before landing. When you land, you are also better able to adjust to the time of your new place.
Myth or fact: Don't take naps to avoid jet lag
Correct. When you experience jet lag, it's a good idea to avoid naps. However, you still need a nap. So it's fine to take a nap in the afternoon, as long as it's not more than two hours.
Myth or fact: Jet lag can be avoided
Myth. Unfortunately, you can't avoid jetlag. Jetlag is a condition that comes your way unpredictably. However, even if you cannot avoid it, you can still minimize your suffering from jetlag in various ways; drink enough water, get adequate rest, get enough exercise, and stay calm during the flight.
If the symptoms of jet lag persist in the long run every time you arrive after a long flight, it's a good idea to consult a doctor once you return to Indonesia.
