Frequent fliers do not automatically get better at adapting to different time zones, and suffering from jet lag in one way or another can lead to poor quality of work, bad decisions and an outright worse time at your destination, than if you didn’t have to fight off the dreaded jet lag. Today’s article will provide you with a bunch of helpful tips and tricks to combat this syndrome, and hopefully keep you healthier and fresher too!
- Adjust your body’s inner clock
At least a few days before leaving for a longer flight, you should gradually start adjusting your sleep and eating habits to fit with your destinations time zone. If you travel east, you should consider spending a couple of days before your journey going to bed an hour earlier than usual, this is recommended for your body to acclimate itself. If you’re travelling towards west you should go to bed an hour later to compensate.
- Get plenty of water
Drink plenty of water, like a glass of water per hour while in the air, even if you do not feel thirsty. You can easily dehydrate on the flight, which may cause the jet lag to feel worse. For the same reason, you should also stay away from alcohol on the flight.
- Say goodbye to your mattress in style
It’s important to get a good nights sleep before you are planning to spend the day in transit, check-in, boarding and flying longer distances. By sleeping in your own bed, on a proper mattress you ensure your body gets some much needed rest in a comfortable setting you are familiar with. For tips and guides for learning about different types of mattresses and sleeping positions, you can click the link.
- Set new timezone once you have boarded
Set your watch to the local time at your destination as soon as you board the plane. This will make you mentally prepared for the new time zone from the start of the journey. - Stay in shape by eating properly
Eat properly, sleep properly and stay in a relatively good shape. The better your body feels in general, the easier it will be for it to handle the stress and side-effects that the timezone change for longer journeys leads to.
- Consider sleeping on the plane
This is especially important when traveling by night or traveling east. Traveling can be exhausting and the more rest you get during the journey, the more prepared your body will be changing in time zones. Choose a window seat if you can and bring along. your pillow so you can have a comfortable nap. Sleep mask and ear plugs can also be a good idea. - Don’t drink too much coffee
It may be a good idea to avoid coffee during the whole flight and also at least six hours before departure. The coffee may cause you to have sleep problems during the flight. Thus, the body does not get the sleep it needs – and it may be harder to adjust to the new time zone.
- Take a hot bath
Several airports have showers available for travelers who have stops during their long-haul flights. If time permits, it may be a good idea to prioritize a hot shower during your stopover. It will make your muscles relax and help blood circulation start again so you are more well-behaved on your next part of the journey. - Get out for free
When you arrive at your destination, it may be good to spend as much time as possible outside the sun. This makes it easier for the body to adjust your inner watch to the new surroundings. - Stay awake
Unless you arrive at your destination late in the evening, stay away from bed. The more you do to customize your local time and local routines – the easier you get across the time difference. Drink a cup of coffee in the morning, eat a hearty breakfast and stick to the normal daily routine until the evening. If you need a nap during the day, you should set your alarm clock and avoid sleeping for more than 20 minutes. A short nap can quickly become a long nap, which will make it harder to fall asleep again at night.
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