While there is no straightforward and easy way to beat jet lag, there
are several ways that you can take to ease the pain of crossing
multiple time zones quickly.
Travel wasn't that difficult on our
internal clocks, but each technological advancement in the world of
transportation has also brought changes to our time management. When
long-distance railroads were introduced matching timetables with local
times became a challenge. Son in 1883, we created a standardised time
zones.
The start of the jet age in 1958 gave birth to a new
problem. We suddenly could travel several zones faster than our bodies
could adjust. Eight years later the term "jet lag" was created. The term
caught on, and of course, we know jet lag is particularly bad when
flying east. Jet lag can be pretty annoying but here are few things,
however, that do help. Below are some of my best tips that work
efficiently.
Hydrate
Pressurised and dry
aeroplane cabins can quickly dehydrate you, making you feel extremely
sleepy. Drinking water throughout the trip helps in easing the process.
It doesn't stop jet lag, but it helps make sure dehydration doesn't
compound your fatigue.
Shift Your Time For Long Trips
A
few days before I leave, I started to change my sleep schedule one hour
each day. Try also to move your mealtimes. That might mean a
super-early trip to the gym in the morning and go to bed before my
favourite TV shows are over. But this works when I arrive and also it
makes easier to sleep on those long-haul flights.
Sleep
If
you can sleep on the plane even for a few hours, it makes a big
difference. An eye mask and earplugs will help. When taking a red-eye to
a far destination, having breakfast right after waking up on the plane
or once you get to the airport, even if you are not hungry, it will help
adjust your body to the idea that it's morning, even if your friends
and family back home are sound sleep.
Avoid Alcohol
Again,
the issue is about dehydration on long overseas flights. I can't blame
you if you have a glass of red wine for sleeping peacefully but don't
have it too much, or you will have an appalling headache, and you won't
be able to adjust to the new time zone.
