Planning for holiday travelling should be a fun time. Deciding where to go, what to see, where to eat… this should all be exciting! But the mood can become dampened when you take jetlag into account. Jetlag can cut your trip short or make coming back trickier if you do not take steps to combat it. Here are a few tips to help beat jetlag and give you a more pleasant trip.
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1. Plan Ahead
In the days leading up to your trip, shift your sleeping schedule. Figure out the time difference between your current time and the local time of your destination. Look at your travel itinerary to determine what time and day you will arrive. In the few days before your trip, try to get as close as you can to the destination time; wake up an hour earlier or later, and eat your meals earlier or later. Figure out what will work best for you and take time to get your body ready.
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2. Avoid Stress
Travelling can be stressful for even the most relaxed person. Steps for avoiding stress on your trip can include everything from arranging transportation to and from the airport, knowing your itinerary, or even packing with the proper luggage. Stay stress free by having all of your documents in one place. Consider investing in a secure pouch or travel case to keep everything together. Get an idea of what’s available by browsing the websites of travel gear specialists like Luggage Direct .
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3. Sleep on the Plane
Sleeping on the plane can be tough; people are moving and talking, and the lights are too bright. Make the environment as suitable as possible for you to rest and be ready for whatever time of day you arrive at your destination. Travel with ear plugs, an eye mask, or even sleep enhancers to help you stay relaxed and sleepy for the duration of the flight.
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4. Stay Hydrated
Travelling long distances, especially on planes, can make you dehydrated. Often when travelling and taking adventures, people can forget to drink water and eat properly. Jetlag can be exacerbated if you are dehydrated. Drinking plenty of water can help to lessen the effects of jetlag and help you to feel better as you acclimatise to the new time zone. Try to stay away from alcohol and caffeine as these can make you more dehydrated as you travel.
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5. Keep Moving
Once you get off the plane, keep moving. Plan plenty of activities immediately upon your arrival. By doing things, you will keep yourself awake and curb your tiredness. If you nap during the day when you arrive, you could find yourself waking up at odd hours and unable to fall asleep or transition into a suitable sleeping pattern. Try to stay awake until a suitable early local bed time. Each subsequent day will then be easier to stay awake longer and help you to adapt to the current time zone.
Jetlag can be hard to get over if you do not make proactive attempts to stop it. Depending on the difference between the destination and origin, jetlag could take up to a week to overcome – follow these tips to help minimise the impact this has on your holiday.