7 Killer Ways To Beat Jet Lag
When you're headed out on a vacation or business trip the last
thing you need is to feel tired or run down. But with these
seven tips to beat jet lag, you're sure to stay alert and ready
for your entire trip.
Keep it the same
When you're not traveling for long, you can usually avoid jet
lag by sticking to your normal routine. Keep your watch set to
your 'home' time and just do what you'd normally do at
home--eating, sleeping, exercise, etc.
Your body won't even notice the time chance when you do this,
and it will readjust without any problems on the way back.
Sleep like a baby
When you're traveling out of your normal time zone, you'll want
to try to keep to normal bedtimes. And while you might have
troubles at first, try to get the same number of hours of sleep
per night. This will help your body fall into a new rhythm for
the time when you're away.
Even if you can't fall asleep right away, try to get into bed
and close your eyes until you fall asleep. Eventually your body
will pick up the clue and you'll get all the sleep that you need.
Fill yourself up
Many times jet lag can be made worse by becoming dehydrated on
your trip or while you're headed there on the plane. To combat
this you'll want to make sure that you're drinking plenty of
fluids as you travel--water and juices especially.
Alcohol can dehydrate the body so it should be avoided if you
can. And if you're expected to drink at a business function,
just follow each glass with a chaser of water.
Find the rhythm
When you're headed into areas where the time will change
significantly, you want to set your watch when you get there and
start following the local hours. You'll want to eat when you are
supposed to eat, sleep when it's dark, etc.
By changing the routine that you're used to directly into the
new hours, you can help to offset jet lag before it even starts.
Follow your new daylight and darkness hours to adjust your
circadian rhythms.
When you arrive
One of the best ways to avoid jet lag is to do some form of
exercise when you arrive at your destination. This can be as
simple as a walk or a few calisthenics in your hotel room. Do a
few jumping jacks to get your heart pumping or start touring the
town.
When your body gets exercise, it can 'bank' the extra energy and
help you adapt to changing light conditions.
If you just can't sleep
When all else fails, you can try a sleeping pill to re-teach
your body when to sleep. Normally this isn't recommended, but
when you're on an extended trip or you have to switch time zones
frequently, a sleeping pill can help to give you some rest in
order to be alert during the day.
Natural cues
And if the sleeping pill doesn't appeal to you, you can try
aromatherapy.
Find a good travel kits that includes oils that you can smell
for energy as well as soothing oils for relaxation, like
lavender.
With all of these tips, jet lag will no longer follow you on
your next trip.