Jet Lag

Love traveling, hate jet lag? Been there, done that. One thing most people think, that is wrong is that jet lag comes only when traveling long distance. You can feel the jet lag better when you travel long distance, but everything that changes your normal rhythm can cause the same effects that jet lag does. So traveling to another time zone even if it just one hour's difference can cause jet lag. 

What to do and how to prepare for it. Yes, you can prepare for the jet lag and it is easy. First you'll need to find out what is the time zone you are going to. Start changing your daily rhythm at least a month before if you are going far. This is because then you will get used to a new rhythm that is closer to the daily pace of where you are going. It is very important to prepare for the jet lag, if the time difference is over 5 hours. 

When you have arrived for your destination, remember to drink fluids and stay outside when the sun is shining. The sun is your best friend as it will let you get used to the local time. Of course if you go above arctic circle during winter time, it is hard to see the sun. But staying out will help you stay awake. Allow yourself to feel tired for few days, as it will help with the tiredness later. Try to go to bed around the time when you would go to bed at home. I mean read the clock as you would be at home. Try not to think that you are in a different time zone. If you think about the time difference all the time, then you are not relaxing and not living in the current time. 

If you wake up really early, before the sun rises in other words, try to stay in bed but don't force yourself to sleep. Same thing during the night time, if you are feeling really awake and the clock is around midnight, still go to bed and relax. As soon as you get the normal rhythm up, your body will start to relax and adapt. Drinking is very important, because you do not want to wake up in middle of the night because you are hungry. When you drink well, you will fight against the hunger. It is important to eat as well, but while traveling you might not feel hungry when there is food around you. All bodily function will need to transfer from the other time zone to your new one. 

Of course if you are traveling only for a short time, for a week or two, you can force yourself to adapt to the new time zone faster and you do not need to adapt fully. But if you are moving somewhere or staying a longer period, then it is a good idea to take it easy. The tiredness of the travel and time zone change will come eventually.