Natural Remedies - Healing with Medicinal Herbs
Jet lag
Jet lag occurs when rapid travel across several time zones throws the body's internal clock out of step with local time. Typical complaints include sleeplessness at night, daytime fatigue, poor concentration, headache and sluggish digestion. Symptoms are usually stronger when flying eastwards and may last roughly one day for every time zone crossed.
Simple natural measures before, during and after the flight help the body clock adjust considerably faster.
Self-Help Measures
- Shift your bedtime by 30-60 minutes towards the destination time for a few days before departure
- Set your watch to destination time as soon as you board the plane and eat and sleep accordingly
- Drink plenty of water during the flight and avoid alcohol and coffee, which worsen dehydration and disturb sleep
- After arrival spend as much time as possible outdoors — daylight is the strongest signal for resetting the body clock
- A cup of chamomile or lemon balm tea in the evening calms restlessness and eases falling asleep
- Take short naps of no more than 20-30 minutes during the first days rather than sleeping through the afternoon
- Light exercise such as a brisk walk in the morning helps shake off daytime drowsiness
Note
If severe sleep problems persist for more than a week after arrival, or if you travel frequently and suffer from ongoing exhaustion, consult a doctor.
