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The heart of our coaching is integrity - a joyful expression
of life that brings
insight and understanding to everything that we do.
What is Jet Lag?
Jet lag is a temporary condition following extensive travel
across many time zones. It is not regarded as an illness, unlike most
health challenges. But when your body, mind and emotions are exhausted and out
of phase with reality, you can feel really sick. Jet lag symptoms can include
physical or mental fatigue, disorientation, disturbed sleep, confusion, lower
leg discomfort and dehydration.
Jetlag is a physiological reaction often accompanied
by reduced motivation and concentration. Jetlag
can be disturbing, disorienting and occasionally frightening. Depression,
confusion or anxiety may accompany a feeling of extreme exhaustion following
international flights. And whether you're on holiday or returning to work, you
want high energy and high motivation.
Signs of Jet Lag
Sometimes it seems that airlines deliberately increase the
symptoms of jet lag. poor quality food, alcohol, caffeine and salty snacks,
inadequate water and dry, stale, low pressure air on airplanes all seem to
contribute to jet lag.
Part of jet lag lies with your time zone, part with your food
and drink, and part with your habits - such as a lack of sleep before a flight.
Some warning signs can alert you of this physiological crisis.
- you feel disillusioned and empty
- you feel depressed and isolated
- you feel dehydrated and irritable
- you feel fatigued and disoriented
You may try to feel better by consuming more alcohol, more
junk food and more stimulants! Of course, any temporary relief may lead to worse
consequences.
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I often fly between America, Europe and
Asia. I used to drink alcohol at the beginning of a flight, hoping to sleep, but
I would arrive at my destination with a hangover.
Now I plan ahead. |
Stress & Jet Lag
Anxiety, stress and depression can occur when you hide
your emotions during stress. Jet lag symptoms are often strongest when
you feel stressed. You may feel on the edge of
collapse.
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Cope with stress! Eat healthier. Exercise
for about half hour at least 3 times a week. Get enough sleep. Avoid
alcohol, caffeine and illegal drugs. Learn how to relax.
Build and enjoy better relationships.
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Do you react to stress by leaving, fighting back
or ignoring it? If you cannot leave or fight, you may try to pretend that
everything is OK. But your stress increases. The same thing may happen during
relationship conflicts. You can deal with stress or change your relationship habits.
You can ignore jetlag - or you can do something. Jet lag
may only be a temporary setback if you can quickly reset your body clock and
improve your emotional reactions ...
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If I do nothing about jet lag, I risk exhaustion
and frustration for a week or so.
Now I follow a 5-step program ...
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10 Natural Remedies for Jet Lag
I found these suggestions around the internet,
but they are not based on my own experiences ...
- Have an Epsom salt bath
- Drink valerian tea before bed
- Take lettuce and hops during the
evening
- Take Siberian ginseng for increased stamina
- Use aromatherapy, homeopathy and acupuncture
- Drink 1/2 cup of water and a few
drops of rosemary oil
- Massage your face with almond oil and olive oil
before bed
- Drink tea with 1/3 tbs. each of chamomile,
mint, and jatamamsi
- Drink a cup of hot milk with a pinch of
nutmeg and a pinch of ginger
- Take 2 capsules of ginger (00 sizes) with a
cup of water an hour before flying
5 Step Program for Jet Lag
Please talk to a doctor before using
melatonin for jet lag relief. If you are taking other medicines, ask a doctor
about interactions between melatonin and other drugs.
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Your body rhythms are influenced by
melatonin, a hormone secreted by your pineal gland during darkness. Your body
responds to melatonin by relaxing and sleeping. Preparation, light, melatonin, water
and food may be keys to shortening jet lag. |
You can buy melatonin without a prescription in
most countries except the UK. A suggested evening adult
dose for jet lag is 2 - 5 mg, depending on body weight (the heavier you are, the
more you need). Melatonin can help your body adjust to change, and is also an
anti-oxidant.
- Before traveling, you can advance your body
clock by one hour each day. If you plan to cross six time zones, you can
start a week before you leave. Then, after traveling, your
body clock will be closer to your new local time.
- During the days, stay in sunlight as much as
possible (to inhibit melatonin production)
- During the evenings, take 2 - 5 mg melatonin
before going to bed
- Stay hydrated - drink lots of pure water,
especially on airplanes!
- Eat fresh food regularly, changing your
eating rhythm to your new time zone. (Quality multivitamin and mineral
supplements also seem to help.)
NASA (US National Aeronautics and Space
Administration) scientists estimate that you will experience one day jet lag for
every one-hour time zone crossed before you regain normal rhythm and energy
levels. (Jet lag symptoms may worsen as your body ages - as your pineal gland
calcifies.)
Researchers in Chicago explored
whether melatonin helps travelers. Their study showed that melatonin can double
the speed at which your body adjusts to a new time zone if you take melatonin
for half the number of days as time zones crossed, plus one. For example, if you
cross twelve time zones, you could take melatonin for 6+1 = 7 days. You can start
taking melatonin before you travel to or return from your destination.
What to Avoid
Alcohol, caffeine and sleeping
pills may delay your adjustment. Neither alcohol nor caffeine help your
body adjust to new time zones, and sleeping pills can cause you to feel poorly
rested.
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I travel between Hawaii and Europe (12
time zones) and find that your program can reduce time wasted in jetlag. I used
to dread the first week after such long flights ... they are still uncomfortable
but no longer horrible.
Your anti-jetlag program helps me sleep at night, and I feel
better during the days. |
Do You Want Results?
Plagiarism is theft. Copyright © Martyn Carruthers 2004-2012
All rights reserved |
