7 Smart Ways to Beat Jet Lag and Stay Travel-Ready
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What Causes Jet Lag?
Jet lag happens when yourΒ body clockΒ is out of sync with your destinationβs time zone. The more time zones you cross, and the faster you travel, the more intense the symptoms. Studies show recovery can take aΒ full day per time zoneΒ without intervention.
7 Smart Ways to Beat Jet Lag
1. Shift Your Routine Before Departure
β Start adjusting yourΒ sleep and meal timesΒ a few days before you fly.
β Match your schedule to yourΒ destinationβs time zoneΒ as closely as possible.
2. Use Light to Reset
β Light helps reset your internal clock quickly.
βΒ Eastward travel: GetΒ morning light, avoid it in the evening.
βΒ Westward travel: GetΒ evening light, avoid it in the morning.
β UseΒ blue light lamps or screensΒ when natural light isnβt available.
3. Manage Sleep
β Keep napsΒ under 30 minutesΒ to avoid disrupting your sleep cycle.
β TakeΒ melatonin (0.5β3mg)Β atΒ local bedtimeΒ if needed.
β Use anΒ eye mask,Β earplugs, and aΒ neck pillowΒ for quality in-flight rest.
4. Hydrate and Limit Stimulants
β DrinkΒ one cup of water per hourΒ while flying to stay hydrated in dry cabin air.
β AvoidΒ caffeine and alcohol, it's dehydrating and disrupts sleep
β If you need a coffee, have it when itβsΒ morning at your destination, not just when itβs served on the flight - timing matters.
5. Move Around
β Stretch or walk around the cabin every few hours.
β DoΒ light activity, yogaΒ or aΒ refreshingΒ walkΒ after landing to help your body reset.
6. Eat to Support Your Clock
β HaveΒ protein-rich breakfastsΒ to signal alertness.
β ChooseΒ carb-heavy dinnersΒ to support relaxation.
β FollowΒ local meal timesΒ as soon as possible.
7. Ease Into Your Trip
βΒ Arrive earlyΒ if you have important plans.
β Stay awake untilΒ 9β10pm local timeΒ on your first day.
β Spend timeΒ outdoors. Daylight helps reset your rhythm naturally.
How Long Does Jet Lag Last?
Most travellers recover withinΒ 1β3 days, thoughΒ eastward travelΒ often takes longer due to our bodyβs natural rhythm being slightly longer than 24 hours.
Final Thoughts
Jet lag doesnβt have to slow you down. With a few smart adjustments and the right travel tools, you can arrive alert, refreshed, and ready to explore.
π‘Β Pro Tip: Use apps likeΒ TimeshifterΒ orΒ FlyWellΒ forΒ personalised jet lag plansΒ based on your flight details.
Have you experienced jet lag? What are your tricks to overcome it? Let us know in the comments!Β βοΈπ
