Travel is a whirlwind event and by the end of your trip, you might be changed forever. The sights and sounds of international adventure are enough to make anyone want to get on the road and if you do go on that trip of a lifetime, you’re unlikely to regret it. While the experience itself is one of the greatest parts of the whole thing, getting to your destination is a whole other kettle of fish. If you’re traveling long distances, jet lag is likely to be one of the biggest parts of the ordeal and knowing how to deal with it can make all the difference. Avoiding jet lag entirely might be impossible but by following these simple tips, you can reduce its effects and feel better in the long run. It’s all about planning your time in advance.
AVOID
- Adjust Your Sleeping Pattern
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Jet lag starts before you’ve even jetted off into the sunset. Your body naturally follows a sleeping pattern and while it may vary from time to time, you’re guaranteed a similar night’s sleep every evening. Before you go on your trip, altering the pattern that you have already created can help to make shifting to a new time frame all the more easy. If you’re heading east, try to sleep a little earlier, shifting the time by half an hour each night for a week. If you’re going west, going to bed later each night can help your body to adjust more readily when you’re there. Change your sleep times to give yourself a fighting chance.
- Change Your Watch Before You Land
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Keeping the same time zone while you fly can wreak havoc with your ability to rest. If you’ve been sleeping different hours before you leave, try and stick to the same schedule when you’re due to take off. On the flight, change your watch to match the new time zone and try to fall asleep accordingly. It might feel a little premature but doing so can only make your life easier down the line.
- Stay Awake Until Bedtime
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Landing in a new time zone is a tricky thing indeed and you might be tempted to give into your tiredness and go to sleep as soon as you get to your hotel. As much as you can, try to hold off. Waiting until a reasonable hour in order to go to sleep will make it easier to get into the swing of a new time zone and won’t leave you feeling out of synch. You might want to sleep a little earlier, just try and keep it within normal boundaries.
CURE
- Do A Light Workout
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Feelings of jet lag, no matter how hard you try to avoid them, are inevitable. If you’re experiencing morning fatigue, it could be worth working up a sweat. While exercise might feel like the last thing you want to do when you’re really tired, doing a light workout is a great way to give you a burst of energy and keep you feeling alert. Starting your day with a light jog will really help you to get into the swing of it, making keeping going for longer all the more simple.
- Stick To Your Normal Routine
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Just because you’re in a brand new location, there’s no reason why you can’t stick to your regular morning and evening routines. Having a semblance of normality in your day can make it easier for you to wake up and go to sleep at the appropriate time. Your body is a creature of habit and repeated activities can send consistent signals as to what to do. You’re the boss!
- Keep It Laid Back
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You’ve followed all the right steps and done all the planning and yet you still feel tired, so what should you do? Keeping things light and easy can help to give your body a fighting chance of adjusting, so don’t plan in a full day of sightseeing or activities after you arrive. Expect to take lots of breaks, find a few cafes and keep things low key for a day or so. After you’ve adjusted, you can really get going with your vacation!
