Don’t let Jet Lag Ruin your Trip

Traveling to different time zones or taking a red-eye flight can make you jetlagged.  For those of you new to travel, jet lag is a blanket term for feeling tired while traveling.  Getting jetlagged is a common occurrence and can vary from slight to extreme, so I made a handy guide to ways to reduce your lag.  Many times, changing timezones is the culprit, so be prepared for feelings of exhaustion, foggy head and a lowered immune system.

I usually get jet lag when I take the redeye, an overnight flight leaving late and arriving very early.  These always affect me because I can sleep on airplanes but never get quality sleep.  Constantly being awoken by sounds or bumps and the fact that we are breathing in the recycled air that is filled with human contaminants.   All we need is one person coughing, sending tiny particles of illness floating through the cabin and recirculated by the airplane’s ventilation system. 

The problem with jet lag is it can really ruin a vacation or at the least shorten your trip by making your travel days useless.  Here are a few tips and tricks I use to combat jet lag and make my trips more enjoyable.

Pre Trip Preparation

Before I fly to a different timezone, I’ll try and get my mind and body ready for the transition by slowly adjusting to the new time.  I’ll stay up late or go to bed early to change my internal clock so I’m ready for the lag. It’s best to make your body ready for the change slowly so you aren’t tossing a literal wrench in the works. You want your body and mind to work efficiently and that can’t happen when they are playing catch up.

Drink water

A common mistake people make when traveling is not drinking enough water. Many will say its because they don’t want to have to get up constantly to use the restroom on long flights, when in fact that is exactly what you should be doing.   Multiple trips to the restroom is good for your body, especially preventing blood clots by moving around and stretching. Water lubricates the body and makes all it’s essential functions work properly. Its best to avoid drinking alcohol during flights because it can really dehydrate you.

Don’t nap

This is huge to getting on the new timezone.  I avoid napping if I took the redeye because its taking me away from the local timezone.  I combat jet lag by staying up until it’s a normal bedtime of the new timezone you are in, once you wake up, you should be fully adjusted.

Healthy first post travel meal

Starting out with a healthy first meal will help your body deal with the stress of travel. Filling up with proper nutrients will make you feel the jet lag less and enjoy your trip from the start. I try and eat a balanced first meal so I can combat any possible illness I got on my flight.

Get the blood flowing outside

Get that vitamin D in your system by letting the sunshine down. I enjoy a nice walk or run outside to start my day, allowing the sun to energize me. This will also help you adjust to the local weather, which may be very different than you are used to. I live in California, so I need this to adjust to any humidity or cold in the air, since I’m not accustomed to it.            

Sweat

A workout isn’t really a workout if the blood isn’t pumping and the sweat isn’t flowing. Break a good sweat and get your blood flowing so you can get rid of any ill effect from your journey.

Use these helpful tips to avoid jet lag or at least minimize its effects on you.  

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