Lifestyle
Jet Lag Explained: Your Guide
Discover what jet lag is, why it disrupts your sleep, and how this travel-related fatigue impacts your body's internal clock and overall well-being.
What is it?
Jet lag, or desynchronosis, is a temporary sleep condition that occurs when your body's internal clock, or circadian rhythm, is misaligned with the new time zone you've traveled to. This internal clock regulates your sleep-wake cycle and other bodily functions. When you cross multiple time zones quickly, your body is still operating on its old schedule, leading to symptoms like daytime fatigue, insomnia, irritability, and digestive issues.
Why is it trending?
With the global resurgence of long-haul international travel, more people are experiencing the disorienting effects of jet lag. The topic is trending as travelers actively seek tips and remedies to mitigate its impact and maximize their vacation or business trip time. There's a growing emphasis on travel wellness and bio-hacking techniques, with discussions on light therapy, melatonin supplements, and strategic napping flooding travel forums and social media.
How does it affect people?
Jet lag can significantly disrupt the initial days of a trip, leaving travelers feeling exhausted and unwell when they should be exploring. It can impair cognitive function, reduce physical performance, and affect mood. For business travelers, this can lead to decreased productivity and poor decision-making. The severity often depends on the number of time zones crossed and the direction of travel—flying east is typically more challenging to adapt to than flying west.