Tips for Avoiding Travel Induced Jet Lag

Travel season is quickly approaching what with spring break not too far away, romantic Valentine’s Day trips and summer vacations to plan. With that in mind, many people are on the computer booking flights, rental cars and hotels as you read this. However, jet lag is something that happens to people who travel into different time zones, and it can cause you to suffer on your vacation. If you plan on booking travel this year, here are a few tips to ensure that your vacation doesn’t suffer from your jet lag.

Take Advantage of Light

Say you’re a Florida girl traveling to California for a few days. If you have a later flight, expose yourself to plenty of light since your internal clock is going to assume it’s later in the day than it is at your destination. When you have light all around, your melatonin levels are suppressed and your body stays awake longer.

Eat Well

Airports aren’t exactly a mecca of good health food choices, but there are healthy choices you can make just about everywhere. The best choice you can make to help minimize the effects of jet lag is to eat right and drink plenty of water. This helps your body feel good and stay healthy on your trip. Overloading on carbs and drinks and other unhealthy options makes it less likely for your body to stay awake and alert on your trip.

Sleep if You Can

Bring a mask, don’t overindulge in unhealthy snacks and drinks and bring some music so that you can drown out the sounds of your flight mates with soft instrumentals. If you’re heading east and need to rest, do it. Your body needs ample sleep to help prevent jet lag – particularly when you’re traveling east. Planes are not easy to sleep on, but it’s not impossible if you’re prepared.

Image via Thinkstock

Comments

Leave a Reply

Loading…

0