subject: Jet Lag Tips: Preventing And Recovering From Jet Lag [print this page] Jet lag is a normal part of traveling by plane, but you can take steps to greatly reduce its impact on your life. If you plan ahead, you can prevent or treat jet lag quickly so you can enjoy the rest of your trip.
Preventing Jet Lag
If you know about your trip well in advance, you can start to shift your sleep-wake cycle even before you get there. Look up the time zone of the location you are traveling to and start waking up earlier or going to sleep later depending on where you are traveling.
Once you get on the plane, be sure to set your watch to your new destination. Once the sun goes down in your destination, try to get some sleep. Use headphones, eye masks and ear plugs so you can get some rest. This will help you set your body to the time in you new location. The same goes for staying awake when it is day time in your new location. Read, watch a movie or listen to upbeat music to keep yourself awake.
Stay hydrated! Hydration is really important when it comes to avoiding jet lag. Being in the plane can be really dehydrating and jet lag can be exacerbated by dehydration. Ask for extra water when the beverage cart comes by or bring your own if you can. Be sure to avoid caffeine and alcohol because both of these can be very dehydrating.
Get up and walk around as often as you can. Keeping your muscles moving is a good way to keep your body awake when it needs to be. Do simple arm and leg stretches in your seat and walk to and from the bathroom often to exercise your legs.
Recovering from Jet Lag
If you follow the tips in the previous section and still end up with some jet lag, don't despair. There are many steps that you can take to improve how you feel so you're able to enjoy your trip more quickly.
When you get to your destination, try to stay awake if it is morning time. Drink a bit of caffeine to keep you going.
You should eat small snacks throughout the day until your internal clock adjusts to the new meal times. Don't try to completely switch to the new meal schedule or you'll find yourself very hungry between meals. Keep small snacks with you so you can eat when you need to.
If you are feeling very drowsy, take a nap in the afternoon. Make sure to limit your nap to an hour or two so you don't completely throw off your new programming. Set your alarm and have a bit of caffeine after you wake up so you can adjust to your schedule.
Above all, don't be too hard on yourself the first few days. If you follow these steps, you'll have your schedule switched pretty well within 48 hours. Limit your activities for these first two days so that your body can adjust.
