You’ve been planning your big trip for months, but when you finally arrive, jet lag doesn’t have you feeling quite like yourself. “It may take a couple of days to adjust, so there may be may be a couple days of fatigue and difficulty sleeping in the evening,” said
Lee Health Sleep Medicine Physician Dr. Jose Colon.


Jet lag is caused by the change in time zones. “It’s going to take you typically one day to adjust for every one hour time zone that there is,” said Dr. Colon.


While you can try to get out ahead of it, “Preparing ahead of time would have to be you changing your own time zone before you leave, which can induce certain stresses before you leave.” Dr. Colon said your body uses sunlight to know when to secrete melatonin. “When you arrive to your destination, if it is morning time try and get that morning light, try and get the light as good as you can to help reset your clock.”


Some light exercise in the morning is also a good idea. If you arrive at night, try to sleep in a dark environment. Taking melatonin may also help you sleep. “When you get to the place that you are going to be at, you know you’re going to have to deal with it. The travel is worth it, the culture is worth it,” said Dr. Colon.


When your trip is over and you make it back home Dr. Colon said, “Try to get back to your normal sleeping schedule to the degree that you can.” Tips to help you sleep better so you can enjoy your trip to the fullest.




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