5 Tips For Conquering Jet Lag

If you’re anything like I am, flying in and out of time zones does crazy things to your body. I’m tired and hungry at weird hours, more cranky than usual and craving a sense of normalcy more than ever. Because I’m lucky enough to travel pretty frequently, I have a few tried-and-true methods for conquering my jet lag and getting my body in gear. Today I’m sharing 5 tips for conquering jet lag!

1. Preparation. Before I even leave my house, I set my watches to my new time zone and depending on which direction I’m going (ahead or behind), I try to mimic the time of where I’m headed. I know it sounds crazy, but adjusting your schedule a few hours earlier/later really does make a difference, especially when it comes to eating!

2. In-flight No-Nos. I know it’s tempting to grab a cocktail to make it easier to fall asleep or using a movie to knock you out, but I promise you..it’s not a good idea! Alcohol and electronic stimulation (movies, iPads, computers, etc) lead to crappy sleep and grogginess upon waking up! Don’t get me wrong — those 20 hours to Thailand nearly sent me over the edge in terms of in-flight boredom, so sometimes imbibing and using the touchscreen movie player is a must. Just try to avoid both if sleeping is at the top of your to-do list!

3. Limiting Caffeine. I’ll be the first to admit — I need some caffeine to keep myself going. The issue with caffeine is that it has a long half-life and once inside the body, it can stay there for a little while sending your body into really high highs and really low lows. Does that make sense?! While traveling instead of my usual coffee, I try to reach for tea. Specifically, Tazo® Tea, which has about half the amount of caffeine as a regular cup of coffee. My favorite flavor is Passion®, but it also comes in Awake™ English Breakfast and Zen^TM. Found easily at most airport cafes and grocery stores, Tazo teas are made with some of the finest quality tea leaves, spices and botanicals to create unexpected blends that are packed with flavor. To be sure – sometimes I can’t skip the coffee (I’m also a creature of habit), but tea is a good option for a long-haul travel plan.

4. Push Through Until Bedtime. I know that feeling when you’ve landed in your destination, it’s 3PM and you just want to go to bed. I’ve been there! The best thing to do is power through until a decent local bedtime. It might not be pretty, but pushing your body to do it will save you internal confusion for the remainder of your trip!

5. Exercise. I know what you’re thinking: Kait, I’m not wasting my time in a new, exciting city at the gym. But wait! What I mean by this is making sure your muscles get stretched out after long flights and that your body isn’t cramped up. This might mean taking 15 minutes in your hotel room or taking a stroll around the block to get everything all stretched out.

Don’t forget to drink plenty of water, too! If you’re an avid traveler, how do you combat jet lag?

If you liked this post, you might also enjoy How I Survive Long Haul Flights or Travel Accessories I Never Leave Home Without!