Jet lag is a condition marked by the fatigue, stress and insomnia associated with travel across multiple time-zones.
Most animals (such as humans) are accustomed to alternating periods of light and darkness, night and day.
Because our physiology is set up to respond to daylength in certain ways, when we cross time-zones our body reacts to the change in rhythm.
The cycles of the body are known as circadian rhythms. Many of the body's biological and physiological processes follow these cycles.
When circadian rhythms are disrupted by jet lag, we experience symptoms of:
- Fatigue and grogginess
- Headache
- Sore muscles and joints
- Disorientation
- Loss of appetite and digestive problems
- Mild depression
- Insomnia
Common guidelines for jet lag are 1 day of recovery per time-zone crossed.
Jet lag can last for many days, wasting valuable time on recovery and realignment. It is quite common for travellers on short or long trips to only begin to realign when it's time to go home!
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