Dear MEL Topic Readers,
What jet lag does to your body - and how to cope
If you fly eastbound or westbound crossing a few or more time zones, you’ll
feel jet lag to some extent for a few days. Many claim jet lag is more severe
when traveling eastbound because they have to go to bed and get up earlier than
their body clocks. Some people feel fatigue, experience brain fog, or spend
sleepless nights, while others suffer from digestive difficulties or irregular
appetite. Also, some are affected more severely than others, depending on
genetic makeup, regular medications, and lifestyle. Jet lag occurs when our
body’s biological clock is disrupted. Our body clock runs on a 24.1-to-24.2-hour
cycle, and it is adjusted by light entering our eyes each day. So, when the Sun
starts shining hours earlier or later, our body functions need to be adjusted.
Also affected in a different time zone is melatonin, a natural hormone that
tells the body when to rest and lower body functions. Although jet lag is almost inevitable,
you can mitigate symptoms by adjusting your watch in advance and eating and
sleeping accordingly, or taking a melatonin supplement. Does frequent jet lag trigger
or cause long-term health problems for those who frequently fly across time
zones, like airline crew?
Read the article and learn how jet lag affects our body clock and
health.
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