Beating Jet Lag – How to Trick Your Internal Clock

For such a seemingly simple thing, jet lag is actually pretty complex. A common misconception is that jet lag is simply the difficulty one has in adjusting to a radically different time zone after a long-distance flight. Sure, there’s that. But it’s more than just a mental thing. There are also physiological effects that can last several days and may even be serious enough to classify jet lag as a real illness.

The Causes and Effects of Jet Lag

Each of us has a circadian rhythm, also known as a body clock, that operates on a 24-hour cycle, producing varying chemical effects throughout the day. Because it reacts directly to the amount of sunlight outside and the temperature in the air, it’s a huge part of the reason why we tend to feel different, mood-wise, in the winter than in the summer. (more…)