Jet Lag, It Get’s You Every Time

-

Jet Lag. We all get it.  There isn’t any fighting it.   We always think that we can beat it, but it gets the best of us.

Jet Lag get’s Dave and I every time.  We always have these grandiose plans of starting adventures when we arrive.  We think that we will sleep for a couple of hours and get up feeling refreshed after a long flight.  It never works out that way and no matter what we do it takes two to three days to start feeling like your old self again.

Here are the best ways that we have found cut the time that it takes to recover from jet lag.

1. Don’t drink alcohol before or during the flight. We ourselves have enjoyed a drink at the airport before leaving and the complimentary wine on the plane in the past.  But believe me, you will feel better if you don’t drink while flying.  You feel the effects of dehydration quickly and more severely in the air.  It causes headaches and thirst and an all around miserable feeling.  Even if you didn’t drink a lot, you will still not feel the greatest.

2. Drink Plenty of water instead. Whenever the flight attendant comes around take the water that they are offering and don’t be afraid to ask for more.  I know that it is a pain getting out of those cramped seats to go to the toilet, but staying hydrated is the key to avoiding severe jet lag. It is a fact that your body functions properly when it is hydrated.

3. Avoid Movies and Video Games. I can enjoy myself so much on a flight that I will watch all of the movies and play video games so much that I forget to sleep.  It is fine to watch a movie while eating or early in the flight, but your sleep is more important.  Turn of the tv and try to catch a few winks.  Rest is important, even if a mean game of Tetrus is waiting for you.

4. Move around.  I don’t know if this helps fight jet lag or not, but getting up and stretching during a flight sure helps to make you feel better.  It gets the blood flowing again and relieves your aching muscles.  Good circulation can’t hurt anyone.

5. Say no to caffeine. You know that you want it.  The nice flight attendant comes around with soothing coffee and tea after your meal and you feel that you could do with a nice cup of joe.  Don’t do it, just say no.  Have some more water instead and then put your seat back and have another nap.

6. Comfort. You should make sure you have everything you need to be comfortable on that plane. Dress in loose comfortable clothing, bring an inflatable travel pillow, eye mask and earplugs. These things will allow you to arrive rested and your body will have one less thing to deal with.

7. Give in to sleep. Once you arrive at your destination, don’t try to adjust your body clock all at once.  Have a nap during the day and make sure to set your alarm to wake up.  You don’t want to sleep for hours only end only to wake up in the middle of the night wide awake.  Take a short nap so that you can stay awake until at least after dinner.

8. Try to stay up a little longer each day.  Force yourself to stay up an extra hour or two each night. You may want to turn in at 6:00 pm, but it won’t do you any good.  Try to stay awake until you just can’t anymore.  That way you will be able to sleep longer through the night rather than waking up at two a.m. ready to go, but all at the wrong time.

9. Give yourself time. Everyone deals with jet lag differently.  If you are traveling from North America to Asia, don’t expect to adjust to the time in a day.  That big of a time change can take at least 2 to 3 days to feel better.  A one week holiday would be ruined due to jet lag.  If you only have a limited time, don’t travel too far.  It is better to have at least a couple of weeks to enjoy yourselves, that way you won’t be wasting precious time sleeping.

10. Relax. This goes along with #9.  If you are stressed about the time that you have for your vacation you won’t sleep well. and if you are stressing about wasting time, well..you won’t be having the deep sleep that your body needs to recover.  Clear your mind of all worries and just embrace how you body is feeling.  Jet lag isn’t pleasant, but at least you know that it will go away soon.