You packed for your trip, but are you prepared for jet lag? This is exhaustion and fatigue you face when traveling to a new timezone, which can be hard to beat. In order to get your body and sleep on track, we've come up with some tips to overcome jet lag and allow you to enjoy the destination you're at!
Prepare At Home Beforehand
If you're already aware that you will be traveling to another time zone, then there are steps to take to prepare at home before you even get on an airplane. You want to adapt your body's rhythm a few days beforehand, depending if you're flying east or west. When you fly east, try to go to sleep a couple hours earlier than usual. If you’re going west, stay awake one or two extra hours. You should be getting up earlier or getting up later those days. It's also smart to book your flight strategically. Arriving in the afternoon or evening is a much better option than the morning since you only have to stay awake for a few hours, have something to eat, and then head to bed!
Sync Yourself On The Plane
Another option to overcome jet lag in advance is to sync your body with the time different right on the plane. The first way to do this is to set your watch to the new destination's local time and mentally prepare for the new rhythm. You'll want to keep yourself awake if it's still daytime there, and then sleep if its nighttime. It's super helpful to adapt your body's rhythm to this new time so you're physically prepared when you actually get there. If you need some assistance with sleep, you can try taking melatonin.
Drink More Water & Eat Smart
Dehydration actually makes it harder for you to adjust to a new time zone, so keep that in mind while flying. The air inside airplanes are super dry and you're already deprived of water, so be sure to keep asking for water or juice to keep your body replenished. You'll want to stay away from coffee, tea, and alcohol if you want to overcome jet lag properly. On the flip side, you want to be eating the right food. Both in the air and on the ground, food that are rich in carbs - rice, potatoes, pasta - will make you feel very heavy and tired. You should eat these when you need to increase your need for sleep. Conversely, you should choose lighter and more protein-rich foods - meat, fish, eggs - to gain energy and help you stay awake.
Get Into A Daily Rhythm There
Once you arrive at your destination, the absolute best way to combat jet lag is to get in the rhythm of your destination the second you get off the plane. Be out in the sunlight if it's daytime, and try to avoid taking a nap. Then when it's time to go to bed, make things really dark and get into nighttime mode. The first night is the hardest, but if you can get into a schedule and combat jet lag the first day, the rest of the trip will be easier. Just be sure to take it easy for the first few days to let your body slowly get used to the environment and time zone without a complete culture shock.
Adjust Before Heading Home
You know your body best, and the same tips apply to overcome jet lag when returning. Remember go to bed earlier and get up earlier or keep yourself awake longer and stay in bed a little later in the morning. You’ll notice your jet lag after arriving home isn’t nearly as bad as when you first came, because now you know how to conquer it.
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-Gina
