6 Tips to Prevent Jet Lag
You've dreamed about this vacation for months, you've finally reached your destination and are ready to have fun and unwind. The only problem is the first day or two, you're exhausted, irritable and can't sleep. Looks like you have the telltale signs of jet lag. Whether you travel for business or pleasure, one of the major downsides to living a jet-set life is jet lag. That feeling of fatigue, insomnia and other unpleasant symptoms such as headache, nausea, and irritability can strike when you travel across time zones. Once you've experienced it, you want to learn how to prevent it for next time.
Luckily, sleep study experts and frequent fliers have done plenty of test runs and offer lots of preventative tips. Before you fly, try the following tips on how to avoid jet lag:
Adjust your bedtime: If you're traveling east, go to bed one hour earlier each night for a few days before your departure; if you're flying west, go to bed one hour later.
Get enough sleep: avoid staying up late and trying to function on little sleep before your flight. Being sleep deprived works against you in your battle to avoid jet lag.
Stay on your destination's time schedule: To help get acclimated to your new time zone, set your watch to the new time when you leave. If you reach your destination during the day, your body will be begging you to get some sleep. Don't do it! Wait to sleep until nighttime. Get outside in the sunlight to let your body know that it's time to stay awake. If you can't keep your eyes open, take a short nap to get a bit recharged.
Sleep on the plane: if it's nighttime at your destination during your flight, get some sleep; if it's daytime, resist the urge to snooze mid-flight.
Stay hydrated: Dehydration makes jet lag worse, so drink plenty of fluids (water is best and avoid caffeine and alcohol) before, during and after your flight.
Bring Travel Pajamas: Bring pajamas so that you enjoy the comforts of home. The simple act of wearing PJs when you jump into bed will help to lull your body to sleep and get over jet lag. Cool-jams offers a wide variety of lightweight, compact, quick drying Travel Pajamas.
