There’s nothing worse than returning from an epic vacation only to find your body’s internal clock is all messed up.
From not being able to sleep, to fuzzy thinking – to falling asleep at your desk – jet lag can really mess up the best of us.
But with a few tips you can help reduce your jet lag – and possibly even eliminate it for good – and here’s how.
Sleep During Your Flight
If you’re on an overnight flight to your destination – sleep on the plane if you can.
You may be tempted to watch movies or read a book to pass the time – but getting in some shuteye will benefit you in the long run.
Ideally, you’ll have a morning arrival and you can start your day with a full night’s rest…
… or at least as much “rest” as is possible on a cramped plane full of other travelers.
And even though it may be tempting to take a nap as soon as you arrive at your hotel – don’t do it! This will only further your jet lag.
If it’s daylight, do your best to stay awake and go about your day – although you might want to have an easy day of activities planned for arrival days.
But if you really feel like you need a nap – wait until late afternoon and take a quick power nap before dinner and it should do the trick.
Watch Your Caffeine
You might be tempted to pound down cups of coffee and energy drinks – but this is a really bad idea.
Same goes with alcohol at the airport bar.
These drinks will dehydrate you and make jet lag even worse.
Instead – it’s crucial to stay hydrated and drink lots of water during your trip.
Also – make sure you have healthy snacks to get you through – snacking on salty chips and stale pretzels will only make you feel more bloated – and won’t give your body the fuel it needs.
Pack some almonds or an apple to give you a quick boost of energy.
Start Before Your Trip
Prepare for your upcoming trip by waking up an hour earlier (or later) than you normally do to help your body begin to adjust to a new timezone.
There are all kinds of apps you can download to help you adjust your circadian rhythm – but really all you need is an alarm on your phone to get you up.
And make sure you have everything packed at least two days before your trip so you can start relaxing that much sooner.
There’s nothing worse (and more stressful) than pulling an all-nighter running around picking up last minute items and packing toiletries the night before a trip.
But if you have everything packed and ready to go – your mind will be at ease before you travel.
Final Post-Trip Tips
And after you return, give yourself a day (or even two) before you go back to work if you can.
Your body needs time to adjust – and if you land at 10pm and expect to go into the office at 8am the next day – you’re just asking for trouble.
So with these few tips and minor adjustments, you’ll be able to conquer jet lag – and have the vacation of a lifetime
Have you ever experienced jet lag while traveling?
What are some things you’ve done to help adjust to a new timezone?
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