Jet Lag

Jet lag happens when your body’s internal sleep clock gets out of sync after travelling across multiple time zones in one go, such as going on holiday or a work trip to another country. This can cause sleep problems, as your body will try to maintain the sleep-wake schedule that it had in the previous country, causing fatigue, and difficulty concentrating during the day, and restlessness during the night.

At The Family Chemist we offer melatonin as treatment for jet lag to help reset your sleep cycle. Sometimes used as a short-term sleep aid, melatonin aids rest during adjustment.

Treatments such as melatonin can cause mild side effects such as drowsiness, headaches, or vivid dreams. Sleep medications might cause grogginess or dizziness, so It’s important to use them as directed from a healthcare professional.

Jet lag usually lasts a few days before wearing off naturally. During this time you’ll experience symptoms of sleep disruption until your body adjusts to the new time zone.

When planning to travel across time zones, it can be beneficial to begin adjusting your sleep schedule before you enter the new time zone. Here are some other tips which can help avoid the symptoms of jet lag:

• Staying well hydrated
• Get plenty of daylight exposure
• Avoid heavy meals and caffeine close to bedtime
• Upon arrival to the new time zone, try to change your sleep schedule as soon as possible
• Set alarms to avoid oversleeping
• Consider treatment to reset your internal clock

Jet lag – NHS

NHS 111 Wales – Health A-Z : Jet lag