What should you know about jet lag cure?

Jet lag happens when your internal body clock is out of step with local time after travel across time zones. You may have difficulty sleeping at night, daytime sleepiness, reduced concentration, or a headache. These effects can feel stronger after a long journey, an irregular sleep pattern, or travel that leaves you dehydrated. The condition usually improves as your sleep-wake rhythm synchronises with the new daylight schedule.

Use the destination schedule soon after arrival: eat, sleep, and wake at local times. Seek outdoor light during the part of the day that supports your shift, and keep evenings dim when you are preparing for sleep. Drink water, keep alcohol modest, and avoid heavy meals close to bedtime. A short nap may help alertness, but a long or late nap can make night sleep harder. Do not drive or make safety-critical decisions when very sleepy. A travel health consultation can help you plan light exposure, medicines, and sleep timing around your itinerary.

Arrange a medical review if sleep disruption continues after you have had time to adapt, repeatedly affects work or driving, or resembles insomnia rather than a brief travel-related change. Seek urgent help for severe confusion, fainting, chest pain, trouble breathing, a sudden severe headache, or weakness on one side of the body. A clinician can also check whether another illness, medicine, or sleep problem is contributing.

Ask which local-time schedule suits your direction of travel, when to use bright light, and whether any sleep aid is appropriate for you. Mention pregnancy, chronic conditions, regular medicines, and any history of insomnia before using a product to change sleep.