Worst jetleg ever
Jet lag, also jetlag or jet-lag, is a physiological condition which is a consequence of alterations to the circadian rhythm. Such alterations result from shift work, daylight saving time, altered day length, or as the name implies, transmeridian travel as on a jet plane. They are known as desynchronosis, dysrhythmia, dyschrony, jet lag, or jet syndrome. The condition is generally believed to be the result of disruption of the “light/dark” cycle that entrains the body’s circadian rhythm. It can be exacerbated by environmental factors.
The condition of jet lag generally lasts many days or more, and medical experts have deemed that a recovery rate of “one day per time zone” is a fair guideline. Good sleep hygiene promotes rapid recovery from jet lag: in fact sleep, relaxation, moderate exercise, and sensible diet seem to be the simplest recovery methods.
However, since the experience of jet lag varies among individuals, it is difficult to assess the efficacy of any single remedy. Age may also be a factor on the severity of jet lag, as younger people will suffer worse jet lag than older people would.
Sigh! I’m still suffering from jetlag, and I guess this is the worst ever that I have faced. My trip to London last time didn’t affect me a lot (London is 7 hours back Malaysia time). This time, Chicago is 14 hours back of Malaysia time. And it’s really the opposite over there – night time in Malaysia, day time in Chicago, daytime in Malaysia, night time in Chicago. No overlap.
You know, I have a very organized sleep pattern. Sleeping late at night is not my thing, and I can never do it. Believe me, I never put an alarm clock when I sleep. Every morning at 7:30am, I will wake up automatically. I guess after 6 years having this routine (i.e waking up for work every single morning), my body has developed the circadian rhythm.
Last time, my first day at Chicago office, 9am Chicago time, which mean 11pm Malaysia time – my bed time already. I was so sleepy that day, and sometimes feeling like fainting. After 2 weeks there, my body has kinda adjusted to Chicago time, but now back to Malaysia time. It’s been 6 days already I’m in Malaysia, but I still feel sleepy during daytime, and my eyes wide awake at night (around 3am).
So last night, I went to bed around 7:30pm (I can’t stand it, and feel so sleepy), and woke up at 4am this morning. And at the moment, I feel so dizzy as of I don’t have enough sleep. Well. Hopefully for 1 more week to come, I’ll recover from this.
