Jet lag is a common travel problem that can make trips feel tiresome and exhausting. It occurs when your body can't adjust to the time zone difference between your current location and home, resulting in fatigue, disrupted sleep patterns and difficulty concentrating.
Jet lag can be hard to deal with, and getting over it quickly is essential for making the most of your vacation or business trip. Fortunately, there are several strategies you can use to beat jet lag and ensure that you have an enjoyable journey. From using a weighted blanket to ensuring you stay hydrated, here are six of them.
1) Close Sleep Deficits Before Your Travel Date
One important way to minimize jet lag is to close any sleep deficits before your travel date. A sleep deficit is when an individual does not get enough sleep for a long time. Every night you cheat yourself of a couple of hours of sleep, it will add up. It may be caused by stress or poor sleeping habits. It can worsen the effects of jet lag because it leaves individuals already fatigued before their travels begin.
The best way to combat this issue is to ensure you get enough quality sleep for at least one week before departure. That means avoiding late nights, caffeine and alcohol and effectively managing your daily stress levels. Additionally, try going to bed earlier than usual on days leading up to the trip, as this will help your body adjust better and reduce fatigue during the actual travel.
2) Stay Awake and Tough Out Your First Day
Another great way to battle jet lag is to stay awake and tough out your first day. This means that even if your plane lands in the morning, you should try to stay awake and not sleep the day away. Staying awake will help reset your body clock faster and make adjusting to the new time zone easier.
You can feel free to go to sleep a little earlier than you usually would. So, for example, if you're generally in bed by midnight, calling it at 9 p.m. and getting a few extra hours of sleep on the first day after arriving can be beneficial. Doing this will help your body readjust quickly and get you back to your usual sleeping schedule within a few days.
Just be careful not to load up on too much caffeine or sugar while trying to stay awake during that first day, as you may inadvertently cause yourself trouble sleeping at night.
3) Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of sugar-, alcohol- and caffeine-free fluids before, during and after your travels can also help battle jet lag. In addition, staying hydrated helps combat fatigue, headaches and other discomforts associated with jet lag, so make sure to drink plenty of water throughout your journey.