Seven Tips to Help with Jet Lag

People don’t get to fly overseas everyday so when they get the chance, they want to make the most of it. They are so excited they don’t think about the jump across time zones that happens and what it will do to their body. It may take a few days for your internal clock to catch up but while you are waiting you may experience a disruption of your wake and sleep cycle which is called jet lag. Some symptoms may show up as tiredness during waking hours, insomnia during sleep hours, confusion, poor concentration, hunger in the middle of the night, irritability along with general malaise. Here are some excellent was to attack jet lag.

1. Your clock inside your body needs to be adjusted

Several days prior to your departure, start changing your eating and sleeping times to get closer and closer to what it will be where you are headed. When you get there, you should be somewhat close to the local time as far as your routine is concerned

2. Try to get your flight overnight

If you can get the flight overnight, you will be able to eat your dinner at the proper time and you will be able to sleep much easier than if you were flying in the middle of the day. It may be easier to adjust your internal clock if you get to your final destination in the afternoon or morning.

3. Stay away from coffee

Avoid caffeine and overeating for about twelve hours prior, and also during, the flight. Caffeine may keep you from sleeping longer, it will keep you from getting a restful sleep once you try to sleep

4. Keep hydrated

You should try to consume a glass of water for each hour you will be in flight even though you may not be thirsty. Use your eye drops for your contact lenses if you have them and make sure they are clean before you fly. Keep moisturizing lotion and balm for your lips with you because of the dry air in flight.

5. Limit alcohol or avoid it entirely

Altitude changes and dry cabin air tends to make passengers drink more and the alcohol content affects you more during flight. Actually, one drink while flying is comparable to twice as much while on land. You may end up drunk, hungover or both which will make the effects of jet lag that much worse.

6. Is Melatonin the answer?

Supplements such as melatonin may be a great alternative to prescription sleep aids. Since this supplement is what our body uses to adjust our sleep cycles, it may not be a bad choice. Some scientists feel that if you take at least three milligrams prior to sleeping after you get to your destination, it may help you adjust to your new sleep cycle much easier.

7. Get some fresh air

Once you arrive at your destination, try to get as much outside physical activity as possible. Try to get out into the sunlight and soak in the rays. If your body feels the sun and sees the light, it will hasten the adjustment of your internal clock and you will adjust to your new time zone much quicker.