Don't Let Jet Lag Drag You Down

Going on a dream holiday is a special time. Though whether you are traveling to Disneyland or Downunder, it can take some time getting to your destination. Naturally you want to feel great as soon as you get there. The truth is that jet lag will affect even the best of us, and it can mess up those first few days. To make the most of your holiday, build in a day or two to feel normal. Follow these tips to help you recover more quickly from the effects of jet lag.

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Start the process on the day you travel. Prepare well for your trip. Make sure that you stay hydrated. Don’t be tempted to indulge in any heavy or greasy airport food before you travel. This might mean resisting the temptation to grab fast food while waiting. Instead, eat light snacks such as fruit and crackers. Drink plenty of water and stay away from caffeine and alcohol.

It can be tempting to make the most of in-flight food and drinks but again, try and resist the temptation to overindulge. It can be impossible to take food or even drink onto some long haul flights, so make sure you buy water before you get onto the plane. Choose from the lighter meal options where you can. If you are using any natural jet lag remedies follow the instructions.

As soon as you board the plane, adjust your watch to your new destination time zone. Act in the same way. You might see seasoned travellers immediately bed down and pull down the blinds. These are people who know how to deal with long-haul flights. Get your sleep as close as you can to your destination time zone. Use sleep masks, travel socks and earplugs. A neck pillow can be a great help. Once you wake, avoid the temptation to snack, and try to stay awake for the remainder of the flight.

A journey to Asia or Australia and even New Zealand could involve two or three connecting flight. Use the stopovers to get exercise and stretch. Some airports have gyms and even swimming pools. Check these out in advance and bring suitable clothes with you in your hand luggage.

Hopefully, you have booked your accommodation. Going to somewhere like Disneyland can be a real blast, but why not consider staying in Orlando while you adjust to the time zone? Make the most of your Florida trip. Rather than stay in an impersonal hotel check here for Orlando vacation rentals. As soon as you touch the ground, live in the new time zone. Resist the temptation to snooze or go to bed. Give yourself plenty of daylight. Steer clear of stimulants and caffeine. Go out for a walk and eat sensibly.

If you can get through this period, you’ll benefit from a good night’s sleep. Give yourself a full 24 period to recover. Crossing time zones is never easy. You may feel like you have landed on the moon at first. But in a day or so you will start to recover, and you’ll soon be ready to enjoy your holiday proper.

Beat Jet Lag

I love traveling. That is an understatement. I love long-haul flights despite the criticism I hear from frequent flyers. What I do not like about traveling across the Atlantic or on the other side of the globe is the time difference and the jet lag that comes with it.

The first time I traveled long-haul (more than 7 hours flight is considered long-haul or approximately 7,500 kms flown in distance and carried out by wide-bodied commercial aircraft) was the DXB-LAX-DXB. It was a non-stop flight around 14 hours long. The jet lag did not kick in because my excitement got the better of me. I was more excited than tired and sleepy. I felt it few days later and this is where the tips to beat the jet lag come in.

• 1. Find an airline which leaves your exit point early in the morning so your body is in tune with the normal timing. 

• 2. Avoid taking energy drink or stimulants like coffee and tea before your departure.

• 3. A night before the flight, sleep earlier than usual. This will help your body's circadian rhythm to adjust and resynchronize.

• 4. Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated because being dehydrated can pose a lot of health problems.

• 5. Fill you iPod or mp player with nice, soothing sounds to relax your mind and encourage sleep.

• 6. If you reach your destination in the morning (traveling East to West will make you lose time than the other way around), don't nap right away. Go out and about. Enjoy the scenery, walk, go on tours but avoid drinking alcohol. Have a protein-carbohydrates meal as soon as you can because filling your body with protein can up your energy level. This should be done when you do arrive in the morning or at least before lunch.

• 7. If you reach your destination in the evening, follow that place's time. Sleep if it's sleeping time. Draw the curtains shut, have a warm soak and switch the lights off. Times like this, I always bring my lavender pillow mist. It soothes my mind and makes me fall asleep.

• 8. Avoid filling your stomach before and during the flight. Take a small portioned meal.

• 9. Read books during the flight so you won't be tempted to fall asleep right away. Try as much as possible to follow the time pattern of your destination.

Happy traveling! Don't let the jet lag bug bite :)