How to Beat Jet Lag
Jet lag is a common reaction from your body to both crossing different time zones as well as the general stress of traveling and often the lack of sleep.
If you suffer from jet lag, all you need to do is reset your internal clock.
There are a number things you can do to help with jet lag, but keep in mind everyone's bodies are different.
Before You Go
On the Plane
When You Arrive
If you suffer from jet lag, all you need to do is reset your internal clock.
There are a number things you can do to help with jet lag, but keep in mind everyone's bodies are different.
Before You Go
- Changing your sleep pattern before you go on holidays will help to prepare your body slowly. Try to go to bed one hour earlier or later depending on which direction you are flying. However, don't change it too much initially, no more than one hour per night for each time zones as you are going to cross (or as many as you can manage).
- If you are going on a really long flight (i.e. from Australia to Europe) take melatonin for two or three days before the trip. Melatonin is a sleep-inducing hormone that occurs naturally in your brain and it controls the body's daily rhythm. You can buy it without prescription. It is available up to 3mg, but a lower dose (0.5mg) has been found to have the same effect. So less is better.
- Ginger tea is believed to be good to counteract jetlag, so here's a recipe you could try:
- Boil water
- Grate two teaspoons of fresh ginger (much better than powdered ginger) into a cup.
- Add boiling water.
- Allow to steep for five minutes.
- Boil water
- Ideally you should drink it an hour before you take off, but sometimes this is not possible. In this situation you could take a piece of fresh ginger to chew on the plane – remember it is hot and spicy, so it doesn't suit everyone!
On the Plane
- Wear loose clothing, a sleeping mask and earplugs and try to go to sleep as soon as you can.
- It is not wise to take sleeping pills, as they often interfere with sleep patterns when you arrive at your destination.
- While it is very tempting, it is advisable to not drink alcohol or coffee. This can cause dehydration, which emphasises the effects of jetlag.
- Your body would then become stressed and dried out - just drink water.
When You Arrive
- Stay up until it's bedtime at your destination.
- Try to walk around in the sun to energise yourself and stretch your legs If you feel like you must sleep, make sure it is for no more than an hour.
- If your flight was eastward, take a low dose of melatonin for three nights before bed. If your flight was westward, you may find yourself waking up early the first morning therefore you should take a low dose of melatonin. Normally the time it takes for your body to adjust is one day for every time zone you've crossed.
