Let’s face it… traveling can be a tough life passion. The downside of flying is that it can really take its toll on your body. Whether it’s for work or play, sitting inside a plane for more than a few hours is physically compromising and if you’re thinking about a long haul flight to Asia there’s every likelihood you’re going to have some degree of jet lag. But there are some things you can do to ease a time zone transition and in fact, it might be easier to fight jet lag than you think. Here’s a few suggestions culled from people who know a lot about flying … flight attendants.
Don’t sleep right after your flight if it’s still daytime. In fact, don’t even lie down in your hotel bed. Take a walk outside, go buy a snack – just keep yourself active in whatever way possible to take your mind off sleep.
Adapt to the time zone. If your watch or says it’s 3:00 AM back home instead of 7:00 PM at your destination, naturally, your mind will tell you it’s time to go to sleep. Adjust the time on your watch before you reach your destination, and don’t think about the time back home.
Stay healthy. The right amount of exercise can help you feel awake, just don’t overexert yourself. It’s also important to stay hydrated, as being dehydrated will make you feel tired. Remember that drinking water is a necessity, even if you’re on vacation and indulging in lavish cocktails.
Practice proper ‘bed-iquette’. Poor ‘bed-iquette’ means that you’re playing around on your phone or tablet in bed before you sleep, while proper ‘bed-iquette’ means that you’ve taken the necessary steps beforehand. Whether this means having a warm cup of tea, reading a good book, or taking a relaxing shower, getting a good night’s sleep is all in the prep work.
Become a darkness fanatic. No, this doesn’t mean that you should dress in black and become nocturnal. But you should definitely make sure that your room is completely dark when you’re trying to sleep. If there’s still light outside, try your best to cover it up with the hotel curtains.
Avoid sleeping pills. Sleeping pills can easily create dependency, which will make it harder for you to sleep without them in future. Remember that you won’t be jet lagged forever, but sleeping pills could definitely change your sleeping patterns for the long term.
Try melatonin supplements. Melatonin is the hormone that regulates sleep patterns and cycles within the body. This supplement is especially helpful if you feel groggy and tired in the morning even if you’ve slept a fair amount.
If you wake up prematurely, don’t get out of bed. The moment you get up for a glass of water or reach for your cell phone, you will feel more awake. If you wake up in the middle of the night, go back to sleep – don’t even look at the clock. Doing so will make you anxious to go back to sleep and may keep you up even longer.
Meditation is your friend. Meditation is always helpful for a good night’s sleep. Get into a position that’s comfortable for you, and empty your mind. It’s one of the best ways to wind down after a long day of sightseeing and adventure.
Is this your last resort? Get a drink. Sure, it may seem contradictory to suggest a drink to help you sleep after already placing a ton of emphasis on the body’s well-being to combat jetlag. But, we all know that a drink (or two) can help you fall asleep much easier. Just don’t overdo it and wake up with a hangover; that’s the last thing you need while you’re away.