(BLACK PR WIRE) "" Everyone loves to get away from it all, but the process of getting there isn't always such a vacation. Airline travel brings the hassles of airport parking, security procedures, long lines, and delayed and canceled flights. But the aspect of airline travel most people find especially frustrating is desynchronosis, the condition known in layman's terms as "jet lag."

Jet lag shows up in those feelings of fatigue, throat and nasal irritation, headaches, nausea and overall irritability associated with traveling across time zones. Generally, the severity of jet lag and the length of its recovery period correlates to the number of time zones traveled.

Many travelers find jet lag to be worse traveling west to east than vice versa, because of the hours lost immediately. For example, a five-hour flight from Los Angeles to Miami departing at 3:00 p.m. will arrive at its destination at 11:00 p.m., according to local time. But the traveler's sleeping rhythm says that it is only 8:00 p.m., throwing things off-kilter. People who sleep by rigid, predictable schedules will experience jet lag more than those who don't, which is why adults tend to get jet lag more than young children do.

So what's a traveler to do? Before leaving, analyze the direction of your trip, the number of time zones you will cross through, and the arrival and departure times, both in your home city and in your destination. Travel experts often assert that each time zone crossed will require a full day of recovery, though it is not realistic for most people to take several days off from work after a trip. If possible, at least arrange for one full day off after arriving home.

The day before as well as during your trip, avoid alcohol and caffeine; drink plenty of water instead. You should also sleep well and get some exercise before flying, since you will be sitting down for a long period. Then you should follow local time patterns as soon as possible when you get to your destination. If you arrive during sunlight hours, try to stay awake until nighttime so that you sleep well. If you arrive at nighttime, prepare to sleep so that you wake up according to the local time. With enough preparation, jet lag won't be your traveling companion on your next flight.