Effective Methods to Avoid Jet Lag

Traveling for work or to visit family and friends can be fun, exciting, and exhausting. And if traveling includes airline travel across different time zones and continents, you can expect to feel jet-lagged after your arrival at your destination (or even when you return home). If you know that you’ll be heading east or west during your travels, plan ahead with these effective methods to avoid the exhaustion and disorientation you might feel.

Hydrate

Drink plenty of water for several days prior to your trip. Airplane travel is incredibly dehydrating. Your system can be thrown off for days if you aren’t hydrated enough. Plan to drink 64 ounces of water or more before you head off on your trip, during the flight (8 ounces per hour is recommended) and also at your destination.

Sleep

Switch your clock to your new time zone before you head off. You can change your mindset before you go and think about how you’ll catch up with your sleep. Sleeping on the plane can be difficult for some people, but consider bringing an eye mask, earbuds or noise-canceling headphones, a neck pillow, and a blanket — all of these can help you relax and rest properly.

Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine

Before you head out and during your flight, do your best to avoid too much caffeine and alcohol. You might think that caffeine would be good to stay up until your new local time, but the repercussions are further exhaustion and added dehydration. Alcohol can definitely make you sleepy, but it is dehydrating as well. Stick with plain water or for something a little more “exciting,” consider sparkling water with lemon or lime.

Exercise

When you arrive at your destination, try to reset your inner body clock with exercise. Fresh air can do wonders to help you counteract jet lag and feel like yourself. A small walk in your destination city can do wonders.

There are effective, simple ways to avoid jet lag – implementing them early can provide you with a better overall experience and trip. Jet lag can be rough, but we’re here to make it easier. After your flight, enjoy a reliable, safe, and relaxing Dav El|BostonCoach ride. Contact us today!