How to Prevent Jet Lag
Air travel is fun and exciting, with all the lovely scenery you get to see and the comfort you’re given. Unfortunately, the fun comes to a halt as soon as you land. You experience dizziness, fatigue and irritability, making your trip less enjoyable. These are symptoms of jet lag, which occur in people who travel across time zones.
Feeling jet lagged can ruin an otherwise relaxing trip. Thankfully, there are ways to avoid this. Here’s how to prevent jet lag.
Adjust Your Time
Weeks before your travel, push back your daily schedule forward or backwards, depending on your destination. Your body needs to adjust to a new timezone, and this is the perfect way to do that. The more time zones you will be crossing, the earlier your schedule should be. Shifting your eating and sleeping schedule by an hour everyday also helps.
Another tip: when you go on board, and as soon as the plane takes off, adjust your watch and set it according to the time at your destination. This will help you adjust easier.
Hydrate Yourself
One of the many symptoms of jet lag is dehydration. When you’re in the dry cabin air, you’ll only experience it worse. Keep your body hydrated before and all throughout your flight. Drink plenty of water or fruit juice. Avoid ingesting alcohol or caffeinated drinks, such as coffee, soda or tea, as these can worsen your dehydration and the side effects will do more harm than good.
Eat And Sleep, As If You’re Already There
Since you have to adjust to the schedule of the place where you’re heading for, you must adjust your body’s habits too, especially your eating and sleeping schedule. Even if you’re still on the plane, try to adjust these two. If it’s night at the place where you’re going to, sleep while you’re on the plane. If it’s daytime, try not to. Make sure you’ve got a comfy neck pillow, eye shades and earplugs, and have the air-conditioning valve turned to you. Booking a roomy seat also helps you sleep more comfortably.
As for food, try to eat lightly while you’re on the plane. Opt for small snacks, so if you arrive just in time for mealtime at the destination, you’ll be able to gobble some food down. Avoid eating airplane food, because it’s served according to the time zone you’re leaving.
Stretch Your Legs, Even When You’re In The Air
Sitting down for a long time can make you feel tired and exhausted, leading to a worst feeling of fatigue as soon as you land. Avoid this by exercising as much as possible, even while you’re still on the plane. Stretch your arms, do some leg lifts, and walk down the aisles. Go to the restroom every now and then. Of course, you must only do this during waking hours, to avoid disturbing the other passengers.
Bask In The Sun
When your plane lands, chances are you’ll feel the effects of jet lag coming over you. Counter this by going out into the sun, if it’s daytime when you land. Spend as much time as possible outside. Sunlight makes you active and allows your brain to adjust to the new timezone. Don’t stay cooped inside your hotel room, and if you’re really sleepy, just nap for at least 30 minutes. Any longer than that, and your jet lag might worsen.
Other Anti-Jet Lag Tips
Arriving at the destination a day earlier than your schedule allows you to adjust to the routine better.
Eat a breakfast rich in protein on the morning after your arrival. This increases alertness.
Avoid consuming large, heavy meals. Your digestive routine is also adjusting, and heavy meals only make it difficult for your body to adapt, causing diarrhea and constipation.
Exercise. During the evening, it allows you to sleep easier. In the morning, it makes you alert.
A horrible case of jet lag is any traveler’s worst nightmare. Avoid this unpleasant feeling by keeping the tips above in mind. You’ll stay happy and relaxed whichever time zone you cross. Happy traveling!