Any traveler, experienced or novice, knows that one of the worst things that can happen on an international vacation is having jet lag for days after. We’ve all been there and if it’s bad enough it can really affect the whole trip. By doing a few simple things it can REALLY help prevent any jet lag so that you can make the most of your international travels!
» Stay hydrated «
Make sure to drink plenty of water before, during, and after your flight. Even when you are mildly dehydrated it can cause fatigue which will make you feel even worse so drink up people!
» Make sure you sleep on the plane «
I know, I know… this might be the hardest one BUT it is also the most important. The worst thing you can do is stay up the entire flight and get your sleep schedule off. Here are a few tips to help you sleep:
- Wear comfy clothes on the plane! Honestly, who even cares what you look like…I know I don’t. When I know I will be traveling for a long time I look like a homeless person but that’s ok because I’m comfortable and that makes the plane ride a lot more comfortable. Hence why you never see cute pictures of me at the airport like other travel bloggers. Maybe I’ll post one… on Halloween.
- Get ready for bed like you would at home! Once the plane is up and people are settled into their seat I have a little goody bag I take with me into the bathroom. I like to wash my face, take a little disposable toothbrush and brush my teeth, and put face lotion on. Do whatever you would do to get ready for bed at home. This gets you in the mindset for sleep and allows you to prepare to go to sleep. I also like to spritz myself with calming lavender mist, but that’s just because I’m fancy.
- Invest in noise canceling headphones! I know, they might be a little pricey but in order to really get a good nights sleep on a plane you need to drown out that annoying airplane noise… and screaming babies. I love these headphones because they go over your ear and not in it which can sometimes bother my ears. A must for a good nights sleep.
- Wear an eye mask! Sometimes on the plane people leave their windows open, allowing some light in, which is fine but if you’re wanting to sleep it can really bother you. I suggest wearing an eye mask that cancels out all light to help you sleep. Right now I’m loving this eye mask!
- Take some kind of sleeping pill! I don’t care if it’s a natural sleep aid like melatonin or a horse tranquilizer like Ambien some sort of sleeping pill is a must. When you get on the plane you’re anxious, excited, and just a big ball of emotions which makes it impossible to be able to fall asleep the natural way. It’s also impossible to fall asleep at 5 pm at night so taking a little something will help you to fall asleep and hopefully stay asleep which makes a huge difference.
» Whatever you do, do NOT take a nap after you land «
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when you finally get to your destination is take a nap because you’re so tired and off schedule. You really need to push through and not go to bed before 9 pm that night. A good way to avoid getting overly tired is not sitting down too much. Go for a walk! You need to get the blood pumping, and speaking of pumping, pump some caffeine into you… I’m talking chug coffee or coke. Anything to help you stay awake until it’s an acceptable time to go to bed. Also, try an avoid drinking alcohol during the day because it will make you sleepy. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good welcome cocktail but if you drink too much the only thing on your mind will be a nap. Once it’s night time you’re free to drink whatever you want because you’ll be going to bed soon but I suggest staying away from day drinking.
There you have it! The secret to kicking jet lag’s butt. Happy traveling friends!
That’s a good point you make about making sure to drink plenty of water before, during, and after your flight. I’ve heard that water helps to keep the cells in your body full of energy, which will lead to increased overall energy in your entire body. I’ll definitely be sure to remember these great tips to make sure that I don’t get jet lag the next time I travel on a long flight.
Yes, staying hydrated is key!