Jet lag is the scourge of the frequent flyer. Given that flights are getting longer and going farther – Emirates has just launched a Dubai to Auckland route that can take 17 hours and covers eight time zones – and that extra security measures mean added hassles before take off, the problem is more pressing than ever.
It seems that everyone who does a lot of flying is looking for the best way to cope with it. As The National reported this week, one suggested cure is to subject yourself to short flashes of light while you sleep. Others include adjusting yourself to the new time zone before you leave, using herbal remedies and drinking plenty of water. For its part, the famed Mayo Clinic suggests exposure to (or avoidance of) sunlight to help readjust your body clock – or a cup of coffee. To add to the complications, the advice differs according to your direction of travel.
Failing a definitive cure, the bottom line is that if we want to enjoy the benefits of travel, jet lag is part of the price we have to pay.
