Sleeping around (the world)

MANILA, Philippines - Frequent travelers, who go from one time zone to another, are no strangers to jet lag. Jet lag, medically referred to as desynchronosis, causes our body clock to be out of synch with the destination time.

Jet lag happens when we encounter daylight and darkness contrary to what our body has grown accustomed to. With this, the body’s natural pattern is disturbed. Thus, patterns for eating, sleeping, hormone regulation, even body temperature, no longer agree with the environment.

Jet lag maybe an unavoidable hitch for travelers, but there are ways to cope with it.

Prepare before traveling. Even days before traveling, adjust your sleeping habits bit by bit, according to the time zone of your destination. When already on a plane, control your naps as well.

Drink lots of water. Dehydration can give your body a hard time adjusting to the new time zone so it’s best to consume lots of fluid.

Adapt to the new surroundings. Bring along personal objects from home to make you comfortable in the new environment. Your own pillow or blanket, for instance, may help you sleep more comfortably.

For people suffering from extreme cases of sleep deprivation caused by jet lag, sleeping pills are prescribed. However, most of these sleep-inducing soporific drugs can lead to drug dependence and other adverse effects after long-term use. Thus, it’s best to opt for sleeping supplements.

Most of these natural sleep enhancers work by regulating the body’s melatonin, which is a hormone that is naturally produced in the pineal gland — an endocrine gland located at the base of the brain. This hormone is produced, mainly at night, to regulate our body’s sleep-wake cycle.

Studies suggest that melatonin helps hasten sleep and ease jet lag without the hazards or side effects of prescription pills. Other studies suggest that melatonin may have immune or antioxidant functions.

One of the most recommended natural sleep enhancer is Sleepwell Melatonin 3mg. Sleepwell, a non-drug and all-natural food supplement, mimics the natural hormone that is produced by our body, thus regulating our natural body clock and enhancing the quality of sleep.

Doctors recommend one to two capsules an hour before bedtime. Locally available in all Mercury drugstores, CQ WOW, and other leading drugstores, Sleepwell has been known to effectively promote good quality sleep, relieve insomnia and other sleep problems, and combat jet lag. It also works as a powerful antioxidant.