What is jet lag?
The body is used to a 24-hour rhythm (circadian rhythm), with the body producing melatonin in the evening to induce sleepiness. Melatonin production is the precursor to sleep. When night and day are reversed due to different time zones, the body is dysregulated and makes too little melatonin. Melatonin makes us sleepy, so it is an important hormone for good sleep. Interestingly; evening people generally seem to suffer less from jet lag than morning people.
Health problems caused by jet lag
Jet lag can cause several health problems, these vary from person to person. It is highly dependent on factors such as age, height, weight and sensitivity, among others. The most common complaints include:
- sleep disorder (poor sleeping in, sleeping through and waking up tired);
- headache or migraine;
- diarrhoea;
- disturbance in appetite (much or little);
- fatigue (reduced energy and concentration);
- disorientation;
- dehydration.
Differences
The degree of jetlag problems depends on the number of time zones passed, westbound (clockwise) or eastbound (anti-clockwise) and, of course, departure and arrival times. Jetlag complaints should be distinguished from complaints (headache, dry and irritated mucous membranes) resulting from a long flight (north-south) without passing time zones.
Practical tips
First of all, there are some things you can do yourself before you travel.
Some practical tips: - leave rested - do not drink caffeine (coffee, tea, cola, etc.) - eat as lightly as possible before departure, preferably vegetables - upon arrival, immediately join the day and night rhythm of the destination. Do not go to sleep during the day, which actually prolongs jet lag. - sleep in complete darkness (e.g. use a sleep mask for this) - use earplugs in case of excessive ambient noise and/or a snoring partner.
Natural support
Our sleep patches contain natural ingredients that also work very positively with jet lag. Absorption by the body is 4x stronger than with oral products, as the ingredients are absorbed directly into the bloodstream and do not need to be digested. Moreover, the patch releases the active ingredients gradually over 8 hours, therefore there are no peaks and troughs in blood levels. Also discover the convenience and the fact that they are much more economical to use.