Tips for Preventing Jet Lag

A wise man, one who was very learned in the ways of the constant traveler, put it best when he said “jet lag sucks.” Very simply, jet lag is the extremely bothersome form of fatigue known to strike after crossing several time zones.  Unfortunately, there is no way to completely avoid jet lag, but there are a quite a few things you can do to help your body adjust to a new time zone.

Sleep on it.
Try to get to bed a little earlier a few days before you leave, and get as much sleep as you can during your flight.  Aim for natural sleep though; using medication might provide some of the helpful effects, but could also lead to drowsiness from oversleeping.

Don’t indulge.
Eat lightly on your flight, and forego super rich or dense foods on the first few days of your trip.  This will allow you to use your energy to adjust to your new location rather than put you in a food coma from overeating.

Drink up.
Many of the side effects of jet lag are exacerbated as the result of dehydration, so avoid alcohol, coffee, tea and other diuretic beverages, opting instead for plenty of water during your flight.

Get moving.
Exercising on a long flight will help alleviate common discomforts such as backaches, swollen legs, feet, and overall fatigue.  At regular intervals, stretch and/or walk the aisles of the plane to prevent dangerous blood clots (thrombosis) from forming.

Take it easy.
On the day you arrive, slow things down so that you can take advantage of your trip at a leisurely pace and establish a routine in sync with the local time.  Try to carve out a similar amount of time upon your return; avoid rushing right back to work and/or regular life if at all possible.