Anxiety and Jet-Lag Don't Have to Ruin Your Trip
Nan Little
August 2005

Jet-lag is a problem frequently encountered by people who travel through four or more time zones, especially when heading east. As the body moves quickly across time zones to reach its final destination, the biological clock that regulates sleep has to catch up.

Modern research shows that Melatonin, a naturally occurring hormone which is closely related to the neurotransmitter Serotonin, regulates our sleep/wake cycle, making us feel tired when it is nighttime and helping us to rise when it is daylight. Traveling across several time zones desynchronizes this cycle and may cause symptoms that include fatigue and general tiredness, sleep difficulty, headaches, a lack of focus, short attention span and trouble concentrating, as well as digestive problems.

Melatonin has been administered as a dietary supplement in numerous clinical trials, which demonstrate that it is a significantly effective treatment option for individuals experiencing jet-lag and its symptoms. In multiple studies, participants reported positive results and observed substantial reductions in sleep latency (the time it takes to fall asleep), REM sleep latency (the time it takes to reach this stage of the sleep cycle), and overall symptoms of jet-lag from flights crossing five (5) or more time zones. When used as directed, Melatonin displays little to no toxicity, and side effects are rare.

Additional research suggests that Valerian Root, another well-recognized natural sleep aid, may also help to reduce the symptoms of jet-lag and other sleep difficulties arising from travel or travel-related anxiety. Although Valerian Root has not been specifically indicated for jet-lag, clinical studies show that it can help to decrease restlessness, nervous tension, headaches, sleep latency (the time it takes to fall asleep), and symptoms of insomnia. Valerian Root is not addictive and is well-tolerated when used as directed.

Here are some additional tips to help prevent jet-lag:

• Keep a regular sleep schedule in the weeks leading up to the trip. Purposefully losing sleep beforehand is not beneficial and may only increase the symptoms of jet-lag

• Consider arriving two to three days in advance of important events or meetings

• Try to maintain regular sleeping, eating and exercise habits while traveling

• Avoid alcohol and caffeine

Jet-lag can seriously affect a person’s ability to function full-steam while traveling. Using a natural sleep aid that includes Melatonin or Valerian Root in its formulation combined with the tips above can help to ensure that jet-lag isn’t a problem that affects your next vacation or business trip.

This article is a service of the Medicor Labs Corp. Wellness Group. © 2005.
 

Related Resources:

Valerian Root
Melatonin
Anxiety Resources for Adults and Kids
Anxiety and Depression Solutions