Jet lag is never easy to get through. Those long hours on a flight not only mess up your sleeping patterns, but it also causes extreme fatigue and insomnia. If you’re working, it stresses you out by the end of the day, and eventually, you just burn out. So how do you get over jet lag? Here are four simple steps to help you get over it.
Combat
Depending on the difference in time zones, try to get your body in sync a few days before you leave. If the time difference is too great to be doing this at home, just shift your routine by a few hours or however long possible. This will mean a smaller adjustment once you reach your destination and less jet lag.
Change your watch time and follow it:
Once you get on your flight, change the time on your watch to your destinations clock. Follow this time rather than that of the country you just left, eating and sleeping accordingly. On flights they serve you and switch the lights off according to where you have just left which is no use if you are trying to avoid jet lag as best you can!
Hydrate
Dehydration is a symptom of jet lag as the humidity level on a plane is roughly about 30% lower than normal indoor humidity levels. Dehydration can result in nausea, cramps and sleepiness so this can contribute to jet lag and make it harder to get over. Eight ounces of water per hour you are flying is the recommended amount you should be intaking.
Do it naturally
Avoid consuming caffeine or sleeping pills as best you can. While caffeine may seem like a good idea to keep you up, it will deprive you of sleeping deeply once you go to bed. To fully get over jet lag you need proper sleep so try your best not to give in. Caffeine also dehydrates you which will only further prolong the process. Sleeping pills can do more harm than good when trying to over come jet lag as you do not wake up fresh as you would from natural sleep. Also, the hours you sleep will be due to the sleeping pill as opposed to how much your body really needs to rest which will further confuse your internal clock.
