I love to travel, but hate the actual travelling part. Does that make sense? I guess what I mean is, I love to see new places and explore the world but getting from A to B is not so fun. I hate packing, waiting for cabs, schlepping around airports and trying to adjust to new time zones. Add tired kids into the mix and it can all make for a very long day. But until the whole Star Trek beam-me-up idea gets invented, jet lag will remain part of the deal.
The question becomes how to minimize the pain. Jet lag happens when your internal clock becomes out of whack with the actual time of the place you are going to. You probably know the symptoms, which can include headache, upset stomach and feeling tired and grouchy. It can also be risky if you’re planning to rent a car when you finally arrive and have to drive somewhere. Studies have shown the rates of motor vehicle accidents go up following spring daylight saving time. And remember, that’s the effect of only one hour of adjustment.
You can’t change the time, but you can play some clever tricks on how your body perceives time. Watch the video for some great advice from Sunnybrook sleep neurologist Dr. Andrew Lim. He’s done lots of travelling himself and has some very helpful and easy tips that can help.
Vacation time is scarce, so you may as well make the most of it. Happy travels and here’s hoping the journey doesn’t mess up your destination!
