Summary of Jet Lag Remedies
How to beat jet lag is a crucial skill for travelers who want to maximize their experiences and minimize discomfort. Mastering this aspect of travel can significantly enhance your journey.
A little over a week ago, I found myself grappling with one of the worst jet lag experiences of my life. Despite taking various precautions to mitigate its effects, I still could not escape its grasp.
I upgraded my airline tickets to ensure better sleep during long-haul flights, adjusted my sleeping patterns before leaving, and dedicated an entire day to rest—it was all to no avail, as I remained jet lagged.
Interestingly, this time around, my jet lag followed no discernible pattern. Typically, I experience fatigue during specific hours based on my previous time zone; however, this time I was drifting off to sleep at unpredictable hours. My experience included odd sleeping hours ranging from 3am to 4am, only to awaken and repeat the cycle, causing significant distress.
This chaotic jet lag was somewhat explainable. After a month in Canada and a few days in the UK, I traveled to Thailand, totaling a time difference of nearly 14 hours. Such drastic changes were bound to spur discomfort.
To turn this negative experience into something useful, here are a few strategies you can implement to combat jet lag effectively:
1.) Set yourself a routine.
This is perhaps the most effective method to shake off jet lag. Establishing a structured sleep schedule is crucial.
While you may not want to immediately return to work after a dream vacation, resuming your daily routine helps redefine your sleep patterns. Be warned, though—this routine will initially leave you feeling exhausted.
2.) Stay awake as long as you can in your current time zone and sleep as needed.
When you arrive in a new time zone, try to stay awake until a reasonable bedtime. If you land in the morning, resist the urge to nap. Instead, explore and stay active until the evening.
Should you arrive late at night, feel free to sleep as soon as you get in; you’ll likely find rest comes naturally due to travel fatigue.
3.) Know that it will take some effort somewhere.
It’s essential to acknowledge that overcoming jet lag isn’t effortless. Strategies like caffeine consumption to stay awake or active engagements like walking can be helpful. Your focus should be on not allowing jet lag to frustrate your travel plans.
4.) Sleep as much as possible.
The overwhelming exhaustion that often accompanies jet lag is incredibly taxing. Prioritize sleep as your body needs time to recover and adjust.
Aim for quality sleep over quantity during your adaptation to a new time zone, helping you feel more refreshed.
5.) Give yourself time to recover.
As you transition back home, allocate a few days to adjust without the added pressure of tackling a busy workweek immediately. Whenever possible, allow time for your body to recuperate fully.
