What is Jet Lag?

15 Ene What is Jet Lag?

What Is It and Why Does It Occur?
People are governed by the circadian rhythm, which is a kind of ‘internal clock’ that helps regulate our sleep and wake times biologically. Typically, this clock synchronizes with the light and dark periods of the place where we live and the schedules we are accustomed to for our activities. Thus, this synchronization signals when we should be active during the day and sleep at night.

This clock is located in the brain (specifically, the hypothalamus) and operates on cycles slightly longer than 24 hours. When we cross multiple time zones, we are either adding or subtracting hours, depending on the direction of travel.

Therefore, after a long-distance or transoceanic flight, a person’s internal clock tends to dominate over the new time zone of the destination, especially when traveling eastward, which is opposite to the body’s clock. This mismatch between the light hours of the new location and our usual sleep schedule causes a condition known as jet lag or time zone syndrome, and it is more likely to occur when there is a time difference of more than 5 time zones between the departure and arrival points.

The Body Reacts with Fatigue and Headaches
Jet lag occurs when the internal clock must adjust to a new schedule in a short amount of time, which can lead to several discomforts for the traveler:

• General fatigue and tiredness
• Sleepiness during the day
• Difficulty falling asleep at night
• Headaches
• Lack of concentration, decreased physical and intellectual performance
• Irritability, anxiety
• Lack of appetite, feeling of fullness
• Exhaustion