What Really Causes Jet Lag Anyway?
Feeling tired and irritable after a long trip is not due entirely to changes in your circadian rhythms. The issue is more complex. Consider the typical scenario: For several days before departure, you are frantically taking care of what seems like a thousand and one last minute errands and details. • You are probably too keyed up to get enough sleep. • Your normal eating and drinking patterns are disrupted. • You are somewhat apprehensive about flying. • You are anxious about leaving home and/or your family. • You fight heavy traffic getting to the airport. • You park your car, but wonder if it will be safe. • You carry a heavy suitcase a half a mile to the check-in point and hope it wont get lost. • You catch a connecting flight and you stand in line again at check-in. • You clear security checkpoints. • Then you wait in a crowded airport lounge because your overseas flight is delayed by hours. Its no surprise that youre feeling stressed out even before takeoff. Add to this a lack of
