How to prevent jet lag flying west?

Are you planning a trip westwards? Whether it’s for a well-deserved vacation or an important business meeting, jet lag can throw a wrench in your travel plans. The fatigue, poor concentration and sleep disturbances associated with crossing several time zones are not something anyone looks forward to – unless you have some kind of masochistic streak.

Fear not! With these tips, tricks and unconventional advice, you’ll be ticking off items on your itinerary like the highly functional human being that you are…or at least appear to be.

Plan Ahead – Prepare Like You’re Hosting A Marathon

The key to conquering any problem lies in preparation; the same goes for starting off on the right foot. Adjusting your internal clock ahead of time may help avoid yawning through breakfast meetings when everyone else is busy taking notes.

  • Start by gradually adjusting sleeping hours two or three days before takeoff.
  • If destination time calls for staying awake until late-night arrival then start shifting bedtimes increasingly later unless schedules don’t allow it.
  • For those who find sleeping difficult leading up to flights (probably everyone) nap beforehand if possible but limit yourself so as not overindulge

Be Smart About Flight Booking

In addition to considering ease and cost when booking flights, there are things related to circadian rhythms that could alleviate jet lag symptoms:

  • Choose airlines which conform better around circadian rhythms — such as nonstop services without multiple layovers which give more restful travel
  • Flights leaving between 2 pm and 6 pm might best because they inflict less onset effects than morning ones while arriving at reasonable times
    and keep travelers from remaining idle during valuable daylight hours
  • Aimed stopover periods should obey traveler preferences especially their capability of adjusting to unusual time zones
  • Request your airline seat preference depending on personal comfort and what suits you best – window or aisle may engage in circadian rhythms better than middle seats

Prepare Onboard for Rest

Getting enough restful sleep can be critical, especially if one arrives after a long day of travel where the first priority involves adjusting properly to new hours. So no endless reruns of Seinfeld episodes nor hours scrolling social media.

  • Utilize earplugs, breathing techniques, noise-canceling devices and eye masks that block out visual stimulation affecting quality shut-eye onboard
  • Comfortable attire and shoes help regulate body temperature during flight as well as support ease of movement; think sweatpants over skinny jeans
  • Strategically planning ahead meals avoiding caffeine or alcohol since these halt production necessary for falling asleep quickly
  • Consider carrying essential oils as they’re thought to stimulate sleep by inducing relaxation through aromatherapy. Breathing in scents such lavender often create calm induction.

Get Moving Before Arrival

Physical activity helps reset circadian rhythm signals which allows bodies acclimate daytime levels when it’s already night at traveler’s destination. Maybe some runway calisthenics every now and then even while onboard.

TIP: Don’t forget fitness apps —they make exceptional handy companions with jet lag busting workout plans!

Embrace Nature

Drawing upon natural light assists in aligning internal clockwork similarly the sun does consistently everyday life unfailingly.

It comes down essentially incorporating more daylight into daily routine — get outside more often (especially early morning), visiting nature exhibits when possible, enjoying coffee outdoors among other things related.

Pro Tip: Features like amber-tinted glasses blocks certain blue wavelengths commonly included indoor lighting interfering with melatonin release causing fatigue later.

Water is Your Friend: Stay Hydrated

Dehydration reduces blood flow and size healthy red-blood cells hindering oxygen-rich blood transport, causing frequent feelings of sluggishness and digestion difficulties.

  • Drink frequently throughout the day; low humidity in airplane cabins cause water evaporation
  • Limit alcohol which manipulates system manipulation inducing dehydration
  • Regulate drinks containing caffeine which causes turbulence to internal clockwork, delaying sleep onset often responsible for jet lag.

Technology as a Solution-Oriented Tool

One major repercussion with travelling abroad has been communication downtime particularly being within different time zones from others —affecting work-life balance or simple daily communications between family members.

Fortunately though technology has become an vital resource for people trying bridge gaps despite physical distances from one place to another by means of videoconferencing apps,social media platforms messaging services while staying fully engaged .

Watch What You Eat

The diet is yet another essential factor determining how quickly individuals recover their normalcy after a long haul trip–guzzle down six servings Big Mac on arrival at destination then watch wait awaits downstream!

So be healthy-conscious about what goes into your stomach before, during and following travels:

Before Your Flight

Carbohydrate rich diets aid brain’s quantity production melatonin quicker than some protein-based nourishments (bummer if you’re keto)

If available choose tryptophan-rich foods such turkey (fried or otherwise) oats and bananas among others: it’s converted later into serotonin then melatonin modulating sleep circles. Vitamins D,E,C&B along with minerals like iron can boost energy production partnering carbohydrates also potentially helpful

During Your Flight

Try having light meals that are easy to digest but packed with lipidic nutrients so get maximum value. Some examples include fish steamed veggies sushi rolls accompanied by water beverages comprising fruits juices herbal tea decaf coffee etcetera

After Arrival

Recovery time period won’t suffer as much if consume appropriate food straightaway typically nutrient-rich choices that comprise lean meats (such as beef, pork or chicken), Greek yoghurt and low-fat milk, mixed vegetables (broccoli anybody?), beans of differing colours plus fruits berries.

Schedule Your Perfect Hotel Room

Picking a suitable lodging also plays crucial role in mitigating jet lag symptoms at the beginning of new trip. Restful sleep quality during first few nights is very critical since effects continuously build up remaining whole journey duration with no way going back to start

  • A room facing east will better align circadian clock mechanisms best directing comfort for traveler.
  • Noises might disrupt sleeping; Earplugs do come handy!

Applications like Hotel Tonight can help troubleshoot problems by highlighting soundproofed rooms thus assuring that parts people require utmost value most take centre stage.

Countermeasure Usage: Over-the-counter Melatonin

Melatonin is a hormone developed naturally in body’s pineal gland typically generated when lights diminish prompting brains think it’s time go bed—by promoting natural tendencies grab slumber/dormancy faster. It may equally be sold in over-the-counter stores as supplement-style medication so it simple get some before or after leaving home

Be warning, however; melatonin presents potentially dangerous contamination risks if bought through unapproved sources such as predominantly found online without proper regulation/independent testing controlling-product integrity signifying safety implications.

Stay Awake Until Nightfall

Arriving early afternoon into your destination creates temptation hit bedsheets straight soonest you drop luggage but resist otherwise continue being active throughout day allows make full use sunshine golden hour opportunities.

If necessary small naps last approximately two hours maximum until night falls then hop on board right track —letting sweet dreams carry smoother worry-free tranquil duringsleep!

Conclusion
Following these tips and tricks should reduce jetlag and allow one to explore their new westwards world relaxed, refreshed and energized! By taking a little extra time ahead of your trip to prepare for arrival, incorporating some natural remedies and keeping technology within reach, shift in the timezone will quickly become a thing of the past. Enjoy your travels with these tips to make every moment count!

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