5 Ways to Beat Jet Lag

Traveling is a delightful pastime for many, but it can also be exhausting. If you live far away from home, jet lag will affect your body and sleep cycle, making your time away from home that much harder to deal with. This can make a long-haul trip seem impossible, but there is hope for those who suffer from it.

The following ways will help you try and beat jet lag:

• Catch some Zzz while you’re still on the plane. 

You’re hit with a double whammy of jet lag when you fly across the country. You spend a few days in the air and then a few days on the ground, and you have to find ways to keep yourself healthy and energized while you adjust to the different time zone. Sleeping may seem counterintuitive but it helps. However, there’s a reason this tip is so popular, and it has nothing to do with lack of rest or comfort. 

Well, aviation safety experts agree: getting an hour of sleep each day in a hotel or lounge can help you sleep better on a plane, especially in the time zone where you’ll be going to sleep. But if you can’t get to a bed before your flight, there’s still hope for a few winks. Wear a sleep mask and listen to relaxing music, close your eyes, and try to fall asleep.

• Keep your body moving.

The time difference between your time zone and the time zone you are traveling to can hugely impact how you feel during the trip. It can make you feel tired or make you feel like you’re in a different time zone. If you’ve been jet-lagged recently, it’s probably been hard to get going in the morning. But there’s no need to let jet lag ruin your day. So start your day off right by walking after you wake up. You may want to do some light workouts before you head out the door, like yoga or a relaxing massage.

• Keep hydrated.

If you’re flying across the country, you can help ensure you stay awake by drinking water and staying hydrated. Making sure you stay hydrated during your trip will help keep you alert and awake, which will help you sleep better on the way home and help you avoid some of the health issues associated with jet lag.

Taking in the appropriate amount of water during and before travel is key to the health and charged-up performance of the body. The best way to take in the right amount of water is to have 2 liters of water with you at all times, especially when you are traveling. Look into the best water bottle that you can carry while traveling, as well as the best way to carry it, so that you minimize the risk of dehydration.

• Get some Vitamin D.

Jet lag can be a real drag on your body and mind. Not only is it annoying, but it can leave you feeling exhausted and irritable. How do you get rid of that time zone difference between where you are and where you want to be? Easy, just get out in the sun, soak up some Vitamin D, try acupuncture or yoga, or take a walk.

• Avoid caffeine and alcohol.

Avoiding caffeine and alcohol as a way to beat jet lag may seem counterintuitive, but the fact is that most people don’t realize just how much these two substances can slow you down. If a person drinks coffee after they get off a plane and then sleeps in a different time zone, then the body will have to jump back into a new sleep cycle. This causes your body to become fatigued and groggy at the same time, which is why it is important to stay awake during the day and keep your eyes moving.

If you’re traveling to another continent and you’re worried about the sleep disruption that comes with long-haul flights, the trick is to be prepared. First, you need to know how jet lag works, so you can figure out how long it will take you to adjust to the new time zone while on the plane. Then, you need to make sure you’re eating and drinking enough during the trip to avoid dehydration and malnutrition. In addition, you need to know what to do when you reach your destination to ensure you’re recovered from jet lag and able to experience your new time zone without any interruptions.