Jet Lag on a Cruise
Jet lag, and not knowing how to deal with it can ruin many a cruise. But jet lag woes on a cruise are not difficult to control.
Medical expert and travel enthusiast Joe Springfield explains some simple facts about jet lagon a cruise.
What IS jet lag and how can I minimize the effects of it? Well, let's find out!
Travelling great distances to begin a vacation can effect most people with the well known anomaly of jet lag. While most have experienced this, my guess is few have mastered the recovery.
In recent years, researchers have realised that light can effect daily or circadian biological rhythms. The researchers found that they could reset the biological clock by exposing the waking individual to five hours of bright light at the time their body temperature was lowest. The first exposure made the circadian variations irregular; the second drastically reduced them. A third application restarted the clock as if it were daytime, regardless of actual time.
Before you travel it is advised that you prepare for the ordeal on your body by making sure you follow a healthy lifestyle for the weeks before your cruise and that you get plenty of rest and exercise. Don’t burn yourself up at work with the thought that you can rest on your trip.
During your flight it is advised that you avoid alcohol and caffeine and maintain the idea to keep hydrated by drinking lots of water. Alcohol and caffeine dehydrate you which is why they are not a good idea. Plenty of time for cocktails on the cruise.
Once you arrive at your destination, try to adapt immediately to the new time zone and eat and behave according to the new location. This is not as easy as it sounds - but well worth the effort.
Flying east tends to create more jet lag problems for most people, so this may influence your decision on where you are going to take your cruise.
To sum this up for jet lag. Spending two days in outdoor light can reset the body's time clock. People who travel on business and spend daylight hours indoors may take a week to recover after a flight across several time zones. On that thought, if you find yourself awake during the night, by turning on a artificial light source, it may impede the adjustment of your internal clock.
PLEASE NOTE:
Please note that the information on these pages is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
