Jet lag is the worst part of international travel. It’s a huge nuisance, especially if you have work to do. It’s tempting to head straight to bed.
No matter how tired you are, sleep is not always the solution. In fact, it could ruin your sleep cycle and make jet lag worse.
There’s no magic cure to jet lag. But there are smart ways you can deal with it. These are five of the best tricks to getting over jet lag properly.
- Adjust Beforehand
Try and adjust to the time zone of your destination.
Depending on how large the difference is, this might not be entirely possible.
If you’re flying from the West Coast to the East Coast, start having dinner a bit earlier. If you’re headed the opposite direction, do the reverse.
The most important way to prevent jet lag is to be well-rested and healthy before you even fly. That means get enough sleep the week before you head out. Eat well and drink enough water.
Re-set your watch as soon as you board the plane.
If you want to really get prepared, change the time on your devices before you even leave. That will help your mind prepare for the adjustment.
Prepare for the destination to prevent culture shock. Read the local news and check the weather.
That way you won’t be too surprised if something goes wrong.
- Sleep Well
Efficient rest is the most important element of travel.
The best way to get over jet lag is to stay up through the day and go to bed as soon as it gets dark.
A good hotel bed is a guarantee for a good night’s sleep.
If you’re traveling for business, you might need to take a power nap before your meeting. A business hotel is the best place to do that.
Here is some information on how to book the best business hotels.
Everyone’s sleep routines are different.
Do whatever works best for you to get a good night’s sleep. If you need a new pillow, talk to the hotel staff. Maybe read a book before bed.
Just make sure to wake up at a decent hour.
- Stay Hydrated
Flying will dehydrate you.
Most people are dehydrated without even knowing it.
Airplane air is extremely dry. The pressure changes put a lot of stress on your body. Going to a new time zone does, too.
Keep track of how much water you’re drinking.
The average person needs at least two liters of water a day. If you work out, you’ll need to drink even more water.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol. A glass of wine might help you sleep, but it will dehydrate you and interfere with jetlag. Coffee will keep you up and interrupt your sleep rhythm.
To make sure you stay hydrated, always carry a water bottle with you.
Maybe even set an alarm to remind you to drink water.
- Try a Remedy
There’s lots of remedies out there for jet lag.
Here is a list of jet lag remedy kits. Most jet lag kits include vitamins.
Other jet lag kits will include face creams, massage gels, and other knick-knacks. You’ll have to try out a few to see which works the best for you.
Once you get the hang of traveling, you can create your own jet lag kit.
Everyone’s bodies have different needs. Maybe you need more Vitamin C than other people. Your needs will change depending on where you’re traveling.
If you’re headed to a place with less sunlight, you might need Vitamin D supplements.
Practice makes perfect.
- Stay Up
Fight the urge to head straight to bed.
Stay up as long as you can. It’s ok to go to bed early, but not too early.
You need to allow yourself time to adjust to the local time zone. The only exception is if you’re only staying for a short period of time.
If your trip is less than a week, you’ll just need to push through.
You don’t want to miss out on anything because you slept.
Conclusion
Even the most experienced travelers suffer from jet lag. These tips will help turn you into a professional traveler.
