How To Cope With The Effects Of Jetlag
Posted By admin on February 14, 2010
How To Cope With The Effects Of Jetlag
Jetlag, also referred to as desynchronosis, is an unpleasant aspect of traveling but one which is ultimately unavoidable. Considering the amount of time zones worldwide, there is a good chance that one will cross at least one time zone during their flight. Jetlag has been known to cause insomnia, anxiety and nausea, but the most common symptoms are feelings of disorientation, grogginess and fatigue. Jetlag can last for the duration of the trip, or for several days after you have returned. Although jetlag affects millions of individuals worldwide, there are techniques which can minimize its impact. The first step is to understand why the body is affected by jetlag. With this knowledge, individuals who take flights will be better prepared to cope with the symptoms jetlag brings on. Why the Body is Affected by Jetlag Jetlag is experienced by travelers because the body cannot properly adapt to a different time zone. Some individuals have more pronounced symptoms of jetlag than others. As a result of a long flight across multiple time zones, the confusion the body experiences due to jetlag stems from two main differences: one, differences in the schedules of bodily functions such as appetite, rest and thirst, and two, differences in the body’s access to light and darkness. Younger people tend to adjust better and more quickly to the change in time zone, but, again, it all depends on the individual. Still, some young people experience jetlag while some older individuals may not be affected as much. Jetlag interferes with normal circadian rhythms. This is a fancy way of referring to your internal clock that wants to be awake when it is light out and sleep when it is dark out. Any adjustment to your circadian rhythm will have an adjustment period. Getting out in the sunlight can help you to reset your circadian rhythms. Your body takes its cues from the cycles of light and dark so give it the appropriate cues. The sooner your body is exposed to the new light and dark schedule, the sooner it will adjust to the new time zone. Jetlag also occurs due to an imbalance in the hypothalamus. Ordinarily, the hypothalamus maintains a balance of glucose and hormonal levels, as well as body temperature and blood pressure. The hypothalamus can be thrown off balance by drastic changes in light and darkness brought on by a sudden shift in time zones. As the eyes do not receive an anticipated amount of light, the brain transmits a signal to the hypothalamus that is off schedule with its normal functions. If jetlag has affected you in the past, there is a good chance the symptoms will return. This can pose a problem to an individual who either wants to visit a distant location for pleasure, or must for business. If the trip has to be taken, it is a good idea to add a few days to the trip in order to adjust to the time changes. You will want to maintain a regular sleep schedule so that your body will have a chance to adjust to its new schedule. Constant changes will prolong the adjustment. You may want to save certain activities until the end on your trip so that you will have had time to adjust. That way you can enjoy the full experience or be ready for an important meeting without the symptoms of jetlag. How to Lessen the Effects of Jetlag Besides adding extra days to your itinerary so you can adjust in time for the main part of your trip, there are other, more practical ways to cope with jetlag. You can start making changes to your sleep schedule before you go on vacation so that each night you are sleeping closer to the time that you will be sleeping on your vacation. With less of an adjustment left to make by the time you arrive, you will experience less jetlag symptoms. Also, this may seem obvious, but you do not want to have caffeine for three or four hours before you plan to go to sleep. Caffeine is a stimulant and can interfere with your sleep cycle. Exercise is essential as well. Everyone knows that staying in shape has a multitude of benefits. One such benefit is that the stamina gained from exercising can help you deal with jetlag. The better shape you are in, the more resilient your body will be when it is thrown off schedule by traversing multiple time zones. However, it is a good idea to refrain from intense exercise before bedtime. This can interfere with your sleep as much as caffeine. Consuming alcoholic beverages a few hours before sleep can heighten the effects of jetlag as well. Alcohol causes dehydration, can amplify the need for sleep, and can cause an upset stomach as well. For these reasons, alcoholic drinks should be avoided before during or after a flight. By doing this the effects of jetlag can be marginalized. Jetlag is a fact of life for travelers, but there are ways to lessen its effects. By giving your body plenty of sunlight, staying in shape and avoiding caffeine and alcoholic drinks, you can minimize the effect of jetlag on your vacation or business trip. Knowing that you can do something about jetlag will help you sleep well at night, and make you better prepared to cope with the effects of jetlag on your next trip. Lisa Parker is a freelance writer who writes about topics and tips involving the travel industry and vacation deals, often discussing specific subjects such as hotels and cheap flights at http://www.flightcentre.ca/flights/.
Source: www.ArticlePros.com
Carnival 2 Day Cruises
Carnival Cruise Lines have shorter cruises available that last from 2 to 5 days They run the largest short cruise program in the cruise industry You can take a short cruise on one of 12 ships from 12 North American home ports A short cruise gives passengers a good idea of what cruising is about so they like it Carnival has a short New York Cruise to know where you can enjoy excellent service in a relaxing atmosphere You’ll be back to the New York City Port in a few days . .A Carnival 2 day cruise is perfect if you don’t have time to take a longer cruise This means you can take a short cruise over the weekend and be home or back at work by Monday Smelling the sea air, eating fantastic food and watching great entertainment for two days is a nice way to refresh yourself from the routine of every day life You can exercise at state-of-the-art fitness facilities, go swimming in the pool or get pampered at the spa . . .Another benefit of taking a Carnival 2 day cruise is the low cost You may have to pay for extra things like spa treatments, games or shore excursions Carnival has an affordable short cruise that leaves from Miami and Port Canaveral in Florida There’s also a Carnival cruise that departs from Long Beach, California and heads to Ensenada, Mexico Always, plan a head of time when you schedule a short cruise Ask about the different kinds of ships You wouldn’t want to go on a ship with partiers if your family is with you or you want to relax . .Sometimes, a Carnival 2 day cruise can take you to the same worldwide destinations as the 17 day cruises You can travel to New England, Alaska, Europe, Caribbean and other places The Carnival Miracle has short cruises from places like to New York to the Caribbean On one of these cruise you can experience a little of the things that offered on a longer cruise There’s many international cuisines and the option of made to order at the Carnival Miracle Lido Restaurant You can dine in the Carnival Miracle Bacchus dining room Other highlights on this ship are shows at the Phantom, Mad Hatter’s Ball, a sing along at Sam’s piano bar and Raven Library and Internet Cafe . .Book a Carnival 2 day cruise early since these types of cruises are popular and fill up quickly Generally the times of year that short cruises are offered are in the spring and summer Dress is mainly casual for short cruises but you may have to dress formal for the dining room If you’re a regular cruiser, you may want to take a short cruise between longer cruises If you’re a new cruiser, then you may be able to see one or two destinations on a mini or short cruise You won’t need to worry about lots of luggage or being away to long It’s best not to try to do too many things on a short cruise so you don’t become overwhelmed .
Source: www.rsstnx.com
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