Healthy Travel Tips Part 2—Beating Jet Lag

This is part two of my three-part series on healthy travel tips. These practical solutions will help you make the most of your trip. Part one was about maintaining healthy circulation on the flight or road trip to arrive with more energy. 

Today’s tip is about beating jet lag, which wreaks havoc on your sleep, saps your energy, and makes it impossible to get the most out of where you’re at. Use these tips to get over jet lag faster, adjust to the new time zone more easily, and maximize your vacation fun instead of dragging your feet and feeling exhausted.

1. Catch some zzzz’s on the flight

First, if it’s a long flight, perhaps overseas, take a nap on the plane. This is especially important if it’s a red-eye and it will be daytime at your destination when you arrive. This will allow you to start transitioning to the new time zone. Figure out when it would be time for bed at your destination, and go to sleep on the flight based on that. 

If you’re fortunate enough to sleep like a baby on planes, then I’m a bit envious. Use that gift to your advantage. Get comfortable and catch some zzzz’s while you’re en route. If you need help, the Sleep Relief dietary supplement helps people fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake refreshed. People have reported that they take it with them when they travel and it works fantastic to sleep on the flight and feel more rested when they arrive. Not only do I take it nightly to sleep, but I also use it on long flights.

2. Unpack right away

After you’ve arrived where you’ll be staying, unpack immediately so it’s not hanging over your head. This helps you relax and will make your transition easier.

3. Get the pillows you need

The second thing I do after getting to my room is to ensure it’s exactly how I want it. You’re paying money to be there, so make sure it’s how you need it to have the most comfortable stay and get a great night’s sleep.

Check the pillows and make sure they’re the right firmness for you. If they’re not, call down and ask for what you want. If the pillows have synthetic fill and you prefer down, then ask for that, too. Hotels are more than happy to accommodate and ensure their customers have a great stay. After all, that’s their business.

4. Check the comforter

Sometimes, people sleep with a heavy blanket at home. They find that a certain weight is comforting and helps them sleep. Check the comforter and see if it seems like a perfect fit for you. If you want an extra blanket or a heavier comforter, call down and ask for what you need.

5. Don’t drink alcohol (at least the first day or two)

Frequently, when people get to their hotel and go out for dinner, they celebrate their vacation by having a cocktail or some wine. I mentioned alcohol in my first healthy travel tips and why you shouldn’t drink during your flight.

Once you arrive, however, stay away from the alcohol for at least the first day. While it can make you sleepy, it can also mess with your blood sugar and cause you to wake up at night. That will then leave you more tired and less rested the next day. Plus, it’s helpful to keep your body well hydrated, and alcohol is a diuretic and can dehydrate you.

It’s important to get on a healthy sleep schedule to maximize the fun of your trip, so avoid the alcohol.

6. Stay awake until bedtime

Many people get to their destination, especially if it’s an overnight flight, and want to nap. I caution you against that. You want to get as quickly on the time zone that you’re on.

Don’t take a nap. Push through until it’s a normal bedtime, then go to bed for the night. That’ll help you adjust much faster.

7. Set your ideal sleeping temperature

When you go to sleep for the night, here are a couple of quick tips. Set the room temperature to 69 or 70 degrees Fahrenheit, or whatever your optimal sleeping might be. Research shows that having the right temperature lets your body relax and allows you to sleep better. 

8. Make the room dark and quiet

The other thing to do is to make sure the room is dark. Often, rooms have blackout curtains on the windows, so close those. Make sure it’s a dark room and a quiet room so you can get a great sleep.

Take these tips and implement them. When you do, you’ll adapt to the new time zone faster and start your trip on a much stronger footing for a great time.