I don’t know about you, but when I think about flying across time zones, jet lag is the first thing that comes to my mind. It’s not a big problem, yet it can wreck havoc on the body, including tiredness, sleepiness, dizziness and headache. If you are a frequent traveler, you may not notice any difference. However, if you are going to travel to a new time zone, jet lag is unavoidable. The last time I experienced jet lag, I spent two days sleeping and trying to cope with terrible headache and dizziness, because I ignored all the advice I was given. Here are some of the most effective ways to cope with jet lag that you shouldn’t ignore.
1. Improve your immune system
Whether you have a strong immune system or you know you need to eat or take more vitamins to improve it, consider boosting your fruit intake in order to strengthen your immune system and avoid developing a chronic fatigue. People with a strong immune system cope with jet lag faster than those with a weaker one. Incorporating a bit more vitamin C rich foods, such as oranges, lemons, kiwi fruits, pineapple, and grapefruit, to your eating plan a week before a trip can help boost your immunity and energy levels as well.
2. Drink enough water throughout the flight
You may not feel like drinking a lot of water while on the plane, but keeping your body hydrated is a must. The problem is that it’s easy to get seriously dehydrated when plane traveling. Dehydration can cause you to believe you want to eat when you actually need to drink. Headache is one of the first signs of dehydration. A glass of plain water can help reduce the severity of headache and increase your energy.
Read also – Feel Tired Daily? 6 Biggest Causes of Fatigue
3. Adjust to new sleep patterns well in advance
Give your body a better chance to gradually adjust to a new time zone by starting changing your sleep patterns a few weeks (or at least a week) before a fly. Don’t make drastic changes, though. The last thing you want to deal with is chronic fatigue and insomnia. Start with shifting your wake and sleep schedule by 15 minutes every day, and then try 30 minutes, an hour and so on. You can even have two watches – the first set to the current time and the second to the time at your new destination – to make your transition easier.
4. Bring healthy snacks with you
Regardless of your eating habits, it’s recommended to bring healthy snacks with you so that you can give your body nutrients it needs to fight jet lag faster. Seeds, nuts, fruit, dried fruit, and vegetable sticks are all great snack choices. If you have a small cooler bag, you can take some peanut butter sandwiches, chicken salad, a small bottle of green smoothie or grilled salmon sandwiches to stay full and healthy while on the plane.
5. Adjust to new eating patterns
Just like with sleep patterns, try to change your eating patterns as well. If you decide to wear two watches, it will be easier for you to know when to eat. You can also find out what you will be eating during your vacation and try out some meals before your trip. It may be the last thing you think about when planning your trip, but it’s still very important.
6. Don’t take naps while on the plane
The biggest mistake most travelers commit is take a lot of naps while on the plane. I know, it’s hard to do anything else, but this little mistake can make your jet lag symptoms even worse. If you know reading helps you sleep, avoid doing it. Think about what you can do while on the plane before you arrive at the airport. Exercise (leg lifting, squats, lunges etc), journaling and listening to music are among my favorites activities.
Read also – 4 Ways to Reduce the Risk of Serious Health Problems
7. Give espresso a try
A friend of mine who has traveled a lot since childhood knows how to cope with any symptoms of jet lag in a matter of a few minutes. Drinking espresso once you are at your new destination is one of the quickest ways to cope with jet lag and sleepiness. If you have any heart problems, though, skip this tip.
8. Schedule your time according to your own time zone at home
If you have a business trip and you should be at your best at many meetings and presentations, try to schedule your time according to your own time zone, of course, if it’s possible. Business trips typically don’t allow us a lot of time to adjust to a new destination, so using this trick is a smart solution. If scheduling isn’t possible, let your boss know that you need an extra day to overcome jet lag once you are at the new destination.
Don’t allow jet lag to ruin your vacation or business trip by following these small pieces of advice. The more proper planning you put in, the quicker and easier you will adjust to your new destination. Do you have your own tips to overcome jet lag?