Jet lagged? Deal effectively with air travel challenges, we tell you how

Holidays rejuvenate our senses; however, it comes with a certain price. Jet lag, deep vein thrombosis and motion sickness are the common in-transit problems; reduce them with sufficient preparation. Diminish your discomfort and inconvenience; understand the reasons, symptoms and cure.

Jet Lag

Desynchronosis as defined in medical jargon is a temporary disorder that causes fatigue, insomnia, irritability, anxiety, nausea, dehydration, constipation, sweating, headache, coordination problems and memory loss because of air travel across time zones.

Why does it occur? Hypothalamus in our brain acts like alarm clock for our body; it triggers the bodily functions, as per the stimulus received from sensory organs like the eye. When travelers enter new time zone, their body is accustomed to responding to the older one. However, the hypothalamus responds to the new dawn or dusk perceptions, and triggers body activities that conflicts with the readiness of the body to adjust quickly. Hence, jet lag.

Is there a remedy? Certainly, several preventive measures can reduce the effects of jet lag and enhance your travel experience. Restrain yourself from caffeine since your body is undergoing stress already; do not torture it further. Allow your body clock to adjust to naturally. Synchronize your mealtime, sleep and work schedule with the new time zone. Exercise and ample sunlight will aid your body clock to begin readapting smoothly.

We at wildplanettours.com recommend that you should save the first day of your arrival for relaxing. Exploring nearby areas is a good way to ease the in- transit feeling.   

Motion Sickness

Motion sickness is a very common body response that occurs due to the disturbance of the inner ear, caused by repeated motion of the airplane in turbulent air. The inner ear is responsible for sense of balance and equilibrium. Hence, any distortion there would result in spatial disorientation. What causes disorientation? The conflicting stimulus between the eye and ear perceptions results in this minor in-transit problem.

Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, cold sweats, headache, dizziness, fatigue, augmented salivation and skin paleness.

Remedies include, avoiding alcohol, dairy products, salty and oily food prior to flying, instead snack or consume fresh fruits and juices.  Sit either in the front or at the airplane wing while flying. Keep the flow of the air vent towards your face.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (blood clotting in the legs)

Sitting in an airplane for hours may cause poor blood circulation consequently swelling, sore joints and even blood clotting in the legs. Is deep vein thrombosis preventable? Yes, with exercise and sensible eating. Travelling in economy class, with less leg space, how will an exercise regime fit in? Read on!

Once the seatbelt sign turned off and ample space on the aisle, you can stretch, walk and lunge. Exercise your upper and lower body by raising legs and hands while sitting.

Lunging involves taking a long step followed by gently bending the front leg and lowering the body while the torso is upright and the back leg straight.

With these suggestions, you will successfully combat in-transit problems.