Jet lag is a common sleep disorder suffered by millions and millions of travelers each day, whether traveling on business or vacation pleasure. One recent survey of international business travelers shows 74% of those questioned had previously suffered from jet lag.

Although its symptoms vary widely from person to person, jet lag affects people of all ages and tends to be more severe the older one gets. The symptoms of jet lag also tend to be worse with those already suffering sleeping difficulties in advance of traveling.

The effects of jet lag increases with the number of time zones crossed during travel. If the time difference between the starting point and destination is just a small distance of two tothree hours, one is likely to experience little if any jet lag. However, when the journey extends across more than three time zones the effects will intensify and tend to worsen as the number of crossed time zones increase.

What Causes Jet Lag?

Jet lag is caused by a significant and rapid change in time zones which result in a difference between the local time and the time recorded by your body’s internal clock.

As an example....say that you leave London at 11 o’clock on a Monday morning flying to Bangkok. The flight lasts twelve hours and you arrive in Bangkok at 11 o’clock that same evening London time. However, because you have flown across several time zones the local time in Bangkok is five o’clock on Tuesday morning.

By the time one clears customs and immigration and takes a taxi to the hotel, it’s likely getting close to 7:30am and breakfast is being served at the hotel. However, as far as your internal body clock is concerned, it’s still only 1:30am and your body desires nothing more than to crawl into bed.

The human body contains its own internal clock which takes its time from the environment responding to such things as temperature, humidity and, most importantly, the normal daily change from sunrise to sunset. These environmental factors cause your own body clock to run, much like your mantle clock, on a series of twenty four cycles, often referred to as your body’s circadian rhythms.

Much as our lives are controlled by time , the body clock is also responsible for many of the body’s functions. In particular, the body clock tells your body when it is time to shut down for sleep and when it is time to wake up and begin the day’s new activities.

When flying across several time zones the body clock is out balance with local time which upsets the whole rhythm of your day, giving rise to such things as problems sleeping at night, staying awake during the day and eating when you wouldn’t normally eat. These factors lead to jet lag.

Donald Saunders is the author of a number of health related publications including "Jet Lag – A Natural Approach". Learn more about jet lag and pick up your free copy of "How To Get A Good Night’s Sleep" to discover the secret to curing insomnia visiting his website, http://help-me-sleep.com