The severity of the jet lag symptoms will be dependent on the distance travelled and the number of time zones crossed. Most people find that you need to cross at least three time zones before experiencing the symptoms of jet lag. The degree of suffering will vary from person to person with the most common symptoms being sleep disturbance. Sufferers may encounter difficulty adjusting to new time zones. For example, it may be day time in the new time zone but your body clock hasn’t adjusted and feels like it needs to sleep. Alternatively, it may be night time in the new time zone, yet you find yourself feeling wide awake and unable to sleep.
Other jet lag symptoms include:
- Indigestion, constipation or diarrhoea
- Headaches, nausea and loss of appetite
- Anxiety and irritability
- Feelings of disorientation, lethargy and light-headedness
- Feeling confused
- Difficulty concentrating and clumsiness
- Sweating