Traveling for work or pleasure often means crossing time zones, which can lead to jet lag for even seasoned travelers. These jet lag cures can help you recover faster so you can enjoy your trip to its fullest.
To start your trip on the best note, ensure you’re well rested before jetting off to your destination. Being behind on sleep will make it more difficult to adjust to a new sleep-wake cycle. If possible, begin adjusting to the new time zone on your flight.
During your flight and the first few days of your trip, being hydrated is important for curing jet lag. Caffeine and alcohol are dehydrating and can affect your sleep cycle, which make recovering from jet lag more difficult.
Once you arrive at your destination, use natural daylight to help you adjust your circadian rhythm. One way to do this is to take a walk outside during the time you want to sleep (based on your home time zone) but shouldn’t in your new location. If you live on the east coast of the US, this means heading outside in the evening on the west coast and the morning in European destinations. This jet lag cure not only exposes you to sunlight; the moderate exercise can also help you sleep when the time comes.
Throughout your first few days, taking short naps midday to recover lost sleep is okay. This will help you stay awake until an appropriate time in the evening. It’s important not to sleep too much during the day, or getting over your jet lag will take longer.
While it may be impossible, the best jet lag “cure” is to not change your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle at all. For short trips, act as though you are still in your native time zone. With no change to your circadian rhythm, you will have no jet lag symptoms to recover from.
