Jet lag tablets

Introduction

Jet lag occurs when our day and night schedule is suddenly shifted forwards or backwards several hours, and our body clock is stuck back at home. Your rhythm is thrown off, with restlessness at night, and fatigue during the day – and you may experience some nausea and dizziness.

This isn’t how you want to start your holiday, but luckily, there are some ways to ease these symptoms and comfortably adjust to your new time zone.

Moving around on the plane

Ideally, getting plenty of sleep on the plane will help you start your holiday fully rested. But commercial airlines aren’t exactly the peak of comfort, so this is easier said than done.

Instead, make sure you’re moving frequently – whether it’s a trip down the aisle or just some simple stretches – as this help keep your mind active and your blood pumping. This will make falling asleep much easier later on, as your body won’t feel as restless.

Natural light exposure

Our circadian rhythms (our body’s built-in clock) are heavily dependent on sunlight exposure. In fact, exposure to natural light in a shower is one of the most effective ways to boost serotonin – the hormone that gives us our energy and drive throughout the day.

Taking a quick walk around your destination when you arrive, soaking up some daylight, can help massively in getting your body adjusted to your new time zone and schedule abroad.

The effect of jet lag can depend on the direction you fly

Depending on whether you head east or west, you’ll find yourself feeling more restless or more tired. Travelling eastward causes you to miss out on hours in the day, which can worsen the effects of jet lag, as your body will be struggling to catch up to the current time. Gaining hours when travelling westward is typically easier, as you’ll be experiencing a longer day, but you may still struggle to adjust straight away.

Dehydration plays a part

Many of the symptoms of jet lag are shared with those of dehydration: nausea, fatigue, headaches, and dizziness. Having these symptoms simultaneously will make you feel even worse, which is why it’s important to drink plenty of water throughout the day. And of course, those extra bathroom trips will give you that activity we mentioned earlier!

Drinking does more harm than good

No, we aren’t going back on what we just said – we’re talking about alcohol, in this instance. The myth that a couple of drinks will alleviate jet lag symptoms is unfortunately not true, and it will actually worsen your feelings of grogginess and fatigue. You may fall asleep faster while under the influence, but this will also be lower-quality sleep, making you more irritable when you do wake up, and exacerbating your dehydration risk.

Caffeine can help

A good old cup of coffee can actually alleviate some of your jet lag symptoms, but it might require some expert planning to pull off effectively. When travelling westward, a well-timed coffee break can give you the boost of energy needed to survive the first day more easily. However, it might be prudent to avoid that energy boost when travelling eastward, as you’ll want to be getting ready to rest shortly after landing.

Melatonin

If all else fails, medication can help you avoid jet lag. It’s worth noting that there isn’t a specific cure for jet lag, but there are ways of adjusting to it. At Amiry & Gilbride Pharmacy, our prescription-only melatonin medication can help you get some much-needed sleep on your travels.

Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that regulates sleep-cycles and our body’s circadian rhythm. This is perfect for getting you adjusted to a new time zone by inducing drowsiness when you’d otherwise be wide awake.

If you plan on travelling more than three time zones, our pharmacists will provide a supply of melatonin following a brief consultation.

Service details

There is a small charge for this prescription, and it is available whenever you might require it, as long as it fits prescription guidelines.

Availability

You can pop in to your local Amiry & Gilbride pharmacy whenever you please, and we’ll be happy to help with any services or enquiries you may need. If it’s easier, you can visit your local A&G pharmacy’s page online, or phone them, and you’ll be able to get details on all of our services and bookings.