Jet lag - How to avoid it!

Jet lag - How to avoid it!

Holidays are enjoyed by all. The foreign feeling of flying on an airplane and indulging in exotic scenery is craved by us all. It’s all fun and games until the dreaded jet lag hits. That doomed groggy feeling that leaves you wanting to hide under your duvet, jet lag is the "hangover" experienced during the holiday and/or on the return from a holiday, we all despise it.

What is jet lag?

Our bodies have an internal clock built into them and are programmed to complete certain tasks at a certain time. For example, sleeping, eating and all the other mundane daily acts we carry out at a specific time. These are known as circadian rhythms. However, crossing time zones can throw these into disarray. Fatigue, gastrointestinal problems, memory and concentration problems are just a few of the many symptoms jet lag can cause.

However, don’t worry. There are ways to avoid jet lag. Here are a few simple steps you can take to avoid jet lag:

female arriving at airport with luggage

1. Get a good night's sleep

The knot of excitement the night before is enough to keep most of us awake but try to hold the emotions back. Getting a good night’s sleep before your flight is vital to ensure you cope better with your jetlag. Try switching off for the day a little earlier than usual and don’t purposely tire yourself out for the flight. Rather than helping you sleep, it’ll only worsen the jet lag you experience.

2. Change the time on your watch

Psychologically preparing your body to change time zones is equally as important. Changing the time on your watch to match the time zone you are flying to will help psychologically align your mind with your destination. But don’t get too clever and do this beforehand as you may end up ridiculously missing your flight.

man looking at his watch

3. Stay on the move

Keeping yourself moving will not only prevent jet lag but it will help reduce the risk of the life threatening DVT. Even if it means standing up and taking a few more than necessary toilet trips, making sure you do not stay seated in one spot, particularly on a long-haul flight, is crucial. Try learning a few simple exercises for the airplane.  Luckily for you, even if you forget, most aeroplane magazines on long haul flights come with simple exercise moves to remind you to keep moving.

4. Say goodbye to sleeping pills

Seems like a great way to help you knock out on the airplane, right? It’s not worth it! Avoid sleeping pills at all cost. Not only do they have side effects that we all want to stay clear of, but they also leave you feeling fuzzy and unnecessarily drowsy. Not comfortable when paired with jet lag!

5. Stay away from the bar

As tempting as it may be to enjoy the in-flight perks and order a glass or two of alcohol, at high altitudes will only lead to further drowsiness, as well as dehydration, due to the air conditioning on the aircraft. Try swapping the booze for a soft non-alcoholic drink or even better a glass of water to help you stay hydrated

So now you’ve mastered the skill of beating jet lag, you’re ready to explore the world. Stay safe and happy flying.