You’ll find it virtually impossible to find somebody who says that they don’t like to go on vacation, but you’ll find it even harder to discover somebody who is a fan of jet lag, the unfortunate end to many a flight to and from your vacation location.
It’s a horrible experience and one that is pretty tough to shake off. Fortunately, there are ways to battle jet lag. Some are pre-flight precautions that might stop it in its tracks before it happens, and others that can help in the unfortunate situation where you find yourself suffering from it in the post-flight hours:
Don’t Drink Too Much – Unless it’s Water
How many times have you heard somebody say that they’re going to have a few drinks on the plane, thinking that it will somehow stave off jet lag and help you to sleep through it? Contrary to belief, jet lag isn’t solely about a lack of sleep, so drinking yourself into a self-imposed sleep will not help you. If anything, it could make it worse, as alcohol dehydrates you, which is one of biggest causes of jet lag. Keep hydrated, stay relaxed and don’t drink too much, and you’ll put yourself in a good position to beat the beast.
Eat Food that is Easily Digestible
One of the joys of flying is getting fed and watered on a regular basis. The issue with this is that you are often changing time zones, and if you turn up at your destination at midnight their time with a full stomach, you are unlikely to sleep and get on the right clock. A great way to prevent staying awake for hours and risking jet lag is to eat food that is easily digestible, and don’t indulge yourself too much on everything the flight crew offers you. Stay comfortable, and you are likely to get shut-eye when you need it.
Take Some Medication
If you don’t want to go down the natural route, there are extremely good medications available to help you fight through jet lag, and one of them is melatonina. It’s a supplement that is designed to regulate our circadian rhythms so that we sleep at night as normal as we would if we weren’t jet lagged. Research shows that it is a big help in the fight against jet lag, and is a worthy addition to your flight bag if you feel like lack of sleep will be an issue for you.
Use The Time of Your Flight to Plan Your Sleep
Staving off jet lag is sometimes a question of timing. If you’re about to jump on a 12-hour flight that leaves at 10 pm, the last thing you want to do is turn up for that flight full of coffee and have had a three-hour nap in the airport. Use the time of your flight to gauge when to plan your sleep.
For example, if your flight is in the morning and is a short flight, it’s a good idea to have a good breakfast and try to stay awake throughout the flight, or you could turn up feeling miserable instead of ready for your vacation. The same rules apply to the late night flight. Use the day to exercise, eat well and stay hydrated so that you’re not feeling wide awake on the flight. You’ll find it a lot easier to fall asleep on the plane as you would at home if you follow these steps.