Flying across time zones messes with our internal body clock, leaving us exhausted. Here are some ways we can help reset our circadian rhythms.
ADVERTISEMENTIt's the scourge of travellers who fly long haul for business and pleasure alike, but jet lag is an inevitability for many.
Nobody wants to lose out because they're too tired to enjoy the delights of their holiday or lose out on productivity on a work trip.
But what can you do to prevent or minimise its worst effects on your body? Here are some tips on how to handle jet lag, wherever you travel.
What is jet lag?
Scientists define jet lag as the effect on the human body of traveling across different time zones.
Our bodies have biological clocks programmed into almost every cell in the body, according to Sofia Axelrod, who studies circadian rhythms at Rockefeller University in the US.
"The clock is set by the 24-hour light and dark pattern, Axelrod said. "Every morning when we wake up, specialised [light] receptor cells in our retina receive a daylight signal, which is transmitted to the brain and from there, the whole body".
When we travel to another time zone, our eyes receive the daylight signal at a different time than usual, causing our internal clocks to reset.
But that process can take a while - and it’s during that adjustment period that we feel the effects of jet lag.
Is jet lag preventable?
Yes, but that can come at a cost.
Malcolm von Schantz, a professor who specialises in circadian rhythms at Northumbria University in the UK, said that flying in premium cabins where travelers can stretch out and properly rest, can ward off sleep deprivation, but he acknowledges that isn't an option for most people.
Still, he said that timing your flights can help. For example, he suggests flying from Europe to North America during the day, so that it’s evening when passengers land and they can get a proper night’s sleep.
"If you take the evening flight instead, you’ll be woken up at midnight to be served breakfast and land an hour or two later, when both jet lag and sleep deprivation will hit you hard and simultaneously," he said.
Von Schantz also said flying in newer models with a lighter frame, like the Airbus A350 or Boeing 787 Dreamliner, would help.
That’s because those planes can maintain a more comfortable cabin atmosphere, which should help travelers feel less worn out by the end of their flights.
What should you do when you arrive?
Experts say getting exposure to sunlight is critical to resetting your internal body clock. That can mean either avoiding morning sun or deliberately seeking it out, depending on where you’ve travelled from.
ADVERTISEMENTGetting light in the morning will advance your body clock, while light exposure in the early evening will delay it.
Naps are OK, but scientists warn against taking long siestas later in the day, as that might compromise your ability to sleep through the night.
Are there supplements or medicines that might help?
Melatonin, a hormone that the brain naturally produces when the body thinks it’s night, can be helpful.
But it’s not available everywhere and in some countries like the UK and France, a prescription is required.
ADVERTISEMENTVon Schantz said that one of the advantages of melatonin is that you can start taking it before your journey, to reset your internal clock quicker.
"If you’re in a part of the world where melatonin is available over the counter, you can combine the effects of light and melatonin to achieve the advance or delay [in your body clock] that you need," he said.
What can you do to deal with the effects of jet lag?
Business travelers might want to consider arriving a day or two ahead of any important meetings or events, said Russell Foster of Oxford University, who has authored a book on circadian rhythms.
"You should just be aware that if you’re jet-lagged, you’re more likely to make unwise decisions, be less empathetic, and unable to multitask," he said.
ADVERTISEMENTTourists might not need to be as alert as business travelers, but they should still be careful, he said. He advises tourists to get caught up on their sleep before doing anything potentially risky or that requires concentration, like driving.
Foster said he tries to maximise his light exposure when he arrives at a new destination to offset jet lag. But he also has a fallback strategy: coffee.
"I’m not suggesting it’s an ideal thing to do, but caffeine will help override the sleepiness and cognitive impairment you might be feeling as a result of jet lag," he said.
