Jetting off to far-flung places across the globe is one of the best things you can do in life. But nothing can dampen your excitement upon arrival at your destination than jet lag. The clock may say it’s 10 am where you land, but your body still thinks it’s 2 am and wants to know why you’re up so late. Don’t let jet lag ruin the first few days of your trip – we’ve got a few handy tips to help you handle jet lag.
Drink Lots of Water
One of the easiest ways to prevent yourself from feeling gross when you land is by making sure you stay hydrated in the air. Carry an empty water bottle with you that you can fill up when you get past security, and keep drinking and refilling during your flight. (Helpful reminder – if your bottle has a flip-up straw, either keep it flipped open during take-off, or twist the whole lid to release pressure before you lift up the straw to drink once you’re in the air, otherwise you’ll end up showering yourself and those around you).
Sleep on the Plane
If you can sleep on the plane and it matches up with the sleep schedule at your destination, then do that. Noise-canceling headphones, a comfy pillow, eye mask – pack whatever you’ll need for a restful sleep in your carry-on. Also, pack travel-sized toiletries to freshen up once you wake up – just the simple act of brushing your teeth will make you feel more awake and fresh!
Power Through
If you’re exhausted when you land, you might be tempted to take a little nap. NO. Resist this temptation. The sooner you can power through and get yourself onto the sleep schedule at your destination, the more normal you’ll feel. Drink coffee, go for walks, keep moving your body, and do what it takes to keep yourself awake until it’s a local bedtime. Speaking of bedtime…
Get Some Help Getting to Sleep
You might have been tired all day, but there’s a chance that when your head finally hits the pillow, you’ll suddenly be wide awake. Pack some melatonin, valerian, or sleepy-time tea to help get you to sleep. Depending on the noise levels where you’re staying, you might need to get some more use out of your noise-canceling headphones and eye mask – good thing you brought them!
Hello, Sunshine!
Get as much sunshine as possible during the day. The natural light will help reprogram your body’s internal clock and get you back on a normal schedule as quickly as possible. Combine your sun exposure with a brisk walk to get the blood pumping, and you’ll be acclimating to your new time zone faster than you can say, “What time is it?”
While jet lag is an inevitable part of long-distance travel, it doesn’t have to ruin your trip. Follow these simple tips to help you get over it with minimal fuss, and you’ll be enjoying your vacation to the fullest in no time!
