Few things can slow you down on an overseas vacation like jetlag. A nasty case of fatigue can see you bedridden and wasting your valuable time abroad. Here are a few handy tips that will help you feel bright eyed and bushy tailed throughout your international adventures.
Your battle against jet lag begins before you even set off. Many swear by pre-travel sleep deprivation. They feel this tactic will help them sleep on their travels and arrive feeling well rested. Unfortunately all it will do is kickstart poor sleeping patterns. It’s difficult to get quality sleep in transit, so it’s better to leave well rested. This will help your body compensate for any sleep lost on your journey.
Changing your sleeping patterns before you leave is one common practice that has some merit. If your work schedule allows, you can gradually shift your routine to match your destination. Remember to change your eating habits too and you should barely notice a difference when you touch down.
Booking a flight with an international stopover isn’t just a way to see another destination and save on the price of your airfare. It can also help combat jet lag. Even a short stopover can help you feel rejuvenated. All you really need is enough time to take a shower or a swim, eat some quality food, and kick back. It really does recharge the batteries!
Don’t get complacent once you board the plane. Your fight against jetlag isn’t over yet! While you’re in transit you’ll want to drink, drink, drink. We don’t mean that complimentary alcohol or caffeinated beverages either. These tempting drinks can actually disturb sleep and exacerbate jet lag symptoms. Downing water isn’t very exciting, but it’s the best way to avoid dehydration.
You’ll need something to go with those beverages, and we suggest choosing something full of carbohydrates. Pasta and rice dishes send a shot of tryptophan to the brain, where it’s turned into sleep-inducing serotonin. Once your body is flooded with this relaxing natural chemical, you’ll find it easier to sleep on a cramped cattle class cabin. Thankfully carb-laden dishes are often part of airline menus!
It’s difficult to enjoy restful slumber while traveling, even if you’re in a carb coma, but you can do a few more things to improve the quality of your catnaps. Eyeshades and earplugs can help block out the sights and sounds of the cabin. Natural remedies like melatonin or valerian can also help you doze off, but avoid stronger medications. These can inhibit your ability to adjust to a new sleeping regime.
You’ve touched down and you’re feeling fine, but it’s no time to get smug. While it’s tempting to harness all that energy and hit the bars, it’s important to maintain your regular sleep schedule. Getting less sleep than usual is a recipe for fatigue. We’re not saying that you can’t party hard. But if you are raging until the wee small hours of the morning, consider indulging in a siesta during the daylight.
You can improve the quality of your vacation sleep with the aid of some lavender oil. This mild sedative promotes deep sleep and ensures you’ll awake feeling refreshed. Sprinkle a few drops onto your hotel pillow and let the heady scent weave its magic!
We also suggest bypassing your usual morning cereal for bacon and eggs or a Spanish omelette. Eating protein-rich foods will help you feel alert, not just in the morning but throughout the day.
We all know time is money, so why spend yours sleeping off that jet lag? It’s easier than you think to fight that frustrating vacation fatigue.
