Jet lag is the stress experienced by the body after a long flight due to the difference in time zones. Unpleasant feelings appear because the daily cycle is disturbed, when sleep and wakefulness alternate, depending on the time of day. Our body cannot immediately adapt to the new cycle, so there is fatigue and irritability, and our mood changes quickly.
Eastward Flight
If you’re flying to the east, it’s better to prepare and cheat your body a little because such flights are particularly difficult to endure.
A few days before your trip, start getting up earlier and make the house lights brighter, as if the day has already begun. Of course, you will have to put off playing a Big Bamboo slot or watching movies in the evening, but these sacrifices will pay off soon.
Before the flight, on the contrary, try to be less in the light, for example, wear sunglasses at that time. At the new place at first, let more light into the room – sleep with unshaded windows.
Westward Flight
Although flying west is easier than flying east, some preparation doesn’t hurt. Go to bed later before your trip, and turn on bright lights in the evening. Lighting greatly affects our biological clock, so this way you can set it back a bit.
On the plane, try to catch as much light as possible.
General Tips
- Avoid stress on your body before a flight – don’t get too carried away by alcohol and excessive physical exertion. All of these things can aggravate jet lag.
- To easily switch to a different time, change your diet and try to eat less often.
- Don’t try to save yourself with coffee: it promotes dehydration and also leads to increased jetlag.
- Sleep as much as possible on the plane, even if it’s a daytime flight. Use noise-canceling headphones or earplugs and a mask to ensure that you get plenty of quality sleep. If you get a good night’s sleep en route, you won’t feel broken up when you arrive, and you’ll be able to make it through the evening and lie down at the right time.
- Plan overnight stops. If you have enough time and your wallet allows you to do this, stop along the way. On long-haul flights to Asia, Australia, or New Zealand, an overnight stop will do wonders in the battle against jet lag. You could potentially spend a few days in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, or Singapore! Two or three days will be enough for you.
- When you land, start living on the new time immediately: eat and go to bed when it’s time, not when you’re used to it.
- Don’t take sleeping pills. They block the rapid phase of sleep, which is bad for the body. You will not get a boost of energy after such a sleep anyway.
- After consulting your doctor, you can try taking the hormone melatonin. It will help you adapt to a new sleeping pattern.
- Eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, drink a lot of water – all this gives the body strength, and it will cope with the jet lag easier.
The first few days at your destination are best spent slowly adjusting to the environment and time zone. So don’t come up with new adventures in the next three days to adapt and recover. The body has a particularly hard time if you are flying from a cold place to a hot place and vice versa.
Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all trick you can use against jet lag. Our tips can help you reduce the effects, but can’t completely get rid of the symptoms of jet lag. In most cases, the most important thing for you is to stay awake and resist the temptation to go to bed. In any case, in two or three days you will overcome jet lag and be able to dive into new adventures!
