Travelling is always fun and exciting. It does not matter if one has to travel for work, vacations or family trip, it always brings joy to hop on a plane and get to visit the other beautiful sides of the world. Despite all the fun through travelling, the long flights do tend to get tiring and exhausting. Recovery from jet lag takes its due time; however, with our travelling tips you can support your body get to its normal form quicker.
Be Wise in Choosing your Arrival Time
Start preparing to save yourself from the jet lag by booking your flight that lands during evening time at respective destination, especially if you find trouble sleeping during flight. This way you can check into the hotel, take a hot bath and head to the bed. In case you can easily sleep on plane, then it is better to book a flight which arrives at afternoon time. This way you can enjoy the extra half day by getting familiarized with your destination. This way your body will be signaled to adjust to the time of the new place.
Take Breaks Between Trip
There are higher chances for you to suffer from jet lag if the flight is very long. It is advisable to book flights with stopover options so your body can take a break and rest up. For example, if you’re travelling to Vietnam, which is a seven-hour flight, then take a flight with stop over at United Arab Emirates, which is only 4-hour flight. Layover should be at least for a day or two as it is going to give your body some time to get used to the new time zone.
Adjust your meal and bed times accordingly
Another way to fight jet lag is to move your bedtime either couple of hours forwards or backward a week before you fly. The results are similar to splitting the trip. For example, if you normally go to bed at 11pm, then start going to bed at either 9pm or 1am. Similarly, change your mealtimes as well. When you wake up early, naturally you wake up two hours earlier than your usual time, which moves the time of your breakfast and rest of the meals as well. This will help you fight hunger in the middle of the night when you are at the other side of the world.
Adjust your clocks accordingly right after you board the flight
As soon as you board on a plane, adjust your clocks according to the time of the destination, instead of waiting to do so after landing. This way you will switch to the time zone before you arrive at the destination. If it is sleep time according to the new time zone, try going to sleep in flight. The amenity kit provided by the airline has eye masks and ear plugs that help you go to sleep. Many airlines have sling hanging down from the food tray that supports legs also makes provides great comfort. In case, it is daytime according to new time, try not sleeping. Short naps are fine but try to be awake, so you hit bed in time after arrival.
Stay awake till bedtime
It is tough to resist sleep after a long flight, especially if you have trouble sleeping on planes. But try to stay awake till bedtime or your sleep cycle will be ruined. If you’re too tired, then just take a 2-hour nap and you will be good for the rest of the day without ruining your night’s sleep.
Step out in Daylight
Human body is designed to stay awake during day time and go to bed when the sun sets. This is one reason many people find is difficult to travel from west to east as the days get shortened, and you get less time to recover from jet lag. No matter how exhausted and tired you feel after a long flight, do not sleep during the day, go out and take a walk in the light to combat jet lag.
Stay Away from coffee and alcohol
Try to avoid coffee and alcohol as much as you can before your flight. Both have the potential to disturb your sleep pattern. You may have coffee or alcohol once you’ve reached the destination but not before. Jet lag is definitely bad, but it gets worse if combined with hangover.
Create an environment that is sleep-friendly
If you are not able to sleep when its bedtime, despite being very sleepy and exhausted. It means you need to create a sleep-friendly environment. Put on the eye mask and ear plug from the airline’s amenity kit, put away all gadgets, turn on fan for white noise and make sure the room is pitch dark; finally try to sleep without any distractions.
Wake up early morning and explore the place
On the first day, try to wake up early, despite sleeping few hours a night before, and get ready to explore your destination. First day is very important, book yourself a city tour, go for a great breakfast or plan to visit the popular buildings. You will be able to save yourself from jet lag once you are awake, out in the city and talking to other people. This way you can quickly adjust your body according to the new time zone.
For shorter trips, stick to the time zone of your home
Jet lags are exhausting, and recovery is time taking. Therefore, in case you are going away on a short trip, which is less than a week, then it is not worth changing the entire routine. In fact, stick to your home routine, even if it would mean to wake up super early at travel destination or go to bed super early. This way your body will not need much time to recover from jet lag once you are back home.
Jet lags are indeed bad. However, by exposing yourself to daylight, thinking positive and avoid sleeping during daytime can help you recover from it quicker, and you will be able to enjoy your trip!