Jet lag can easily ruin your holiday. No one wants to feel exhausted on their vacation, which is why it’s important that you know how to avoid jet lag, no matter how many time zones you change. When you move through time zones, your body can be affected adversely. One reason is because our bodies work on a twenty four hour 'circadian rhythm' and jet lag can throw this off. Not to mention your day-to-day routine is disrupted which can lead to an increased sense of fatigue, as well as other problems, including issues with digestion, trouble sleeping or concentrating. In short, jet lag means our bodies are thrown off balance, but because we’re all different, our organisms may react differently to it, which depends on a number of factors. Long flights are more likely to cause jet lag, as you’ll move through multiple time zones. Moreover, flying east is harder on your body than flying west, the cause of which lies in the fact that you’ll be going to bed in time you’d usually be waking up in your time zone. Here are five tips which will help you avoid jet lag when you next travel.
Get Plenty of Rest
The best way to prepare for a long flight is to get plenty of rest. Being well-rested before the flight will make it easier to adapt to a new time zone, as well as enable your body to deal with jet lag better. Get plenty of sleep day before your flight. Don’t hesitate to take a day off to prepare for your journey.
Avoid Coffee
Coffee and other beverages that contain high dosage of caffeine affect your sleeping patterns, and make it harder to fall asleep. Avoid drinking coffee or soft drink before the flight. It might be a better idea to drink tea or fruit juice instead of coffee. Also, remember to drink a lot of water to hydrate your body and help it minimise jet lag effects.
Book a Relaxing Massage
A relaxing massage is one of the best ways to alleviate the stress of a long flight and deal with the adverse effects of jet lag. Massaging techniques can help your body recover properly, cause you to feel more relaxed and boost your recovery. Do some research as to what will be available in the destination you're travelling to. For example, if you're visiting Zurich you could book a massage at the Coach Frog website.
Search for Flights That Arrive at Daytime
Arriving in your destination during daytime is preferable to arriving at night. It will give you more time to adapt to the new time zone, explore the city and get a good night’s sleep after your daily activities.
Don’t Forget to Set Your Watch
ou should set your watch to the time zone of the destination you're travelling to before the takeoff, as to prepare yourself for adjusting to local time. Try to sync up your eating and sleeping patterns as early as possible to minimise disruption to your body clock when you arrive.
