I’ve been on 116 flights in just one year alone – I swear by three tricks to avoid getting jet lag
A FREQUENT traveller who hopped on 116 flights in one year has revealed three tricks to avoid getting a jet lag.
Vacations are the time to relax but jet lags could spoil the experience as some symptoms include fatigue, insomnia and even stomach problems.
Kyle Olsen has shared his game-changing tips to prevent the jet lag from ruining your holiday.
He wrote on CNN that the best way to prepare for a new timezone is by sticking to your routine.
The expert recommends travellers to carry out their bedtime rituals as usual even when on a cramped plane.
It might not sound ideal but Olsen insists that brushing your teeth and changing into comfy pyjamas will help your body relax.
He said: “Regardless of the cabin you’re flying in, try and mimic your bedtime routine to help your body relax and maximize rest.
“I follow my bedtime routine as closely as possible by brushing my teeth, flossing and brushing my hair before settling in for the flight.”
Another tip is figuring out your meal plans before setting off on your journey.
In order for passengers to stick to their bedtime routines and sleeping schedule, it is also important to eat on time and leave enough hours for rest.
Olsen added that on transatlantic flights between the US and Europe, it is best to skip the in-flight dinner service and eat at the airport instead.
He explained that by heading straight to bed while plane lights are off, passengers can maximise their sleep.
Airplanes also notoriously have low humidity which can leave your skin and throat feeling dry.
Drinking plenty of water will not only replenish your hydration levels, but will also help with the jet lag.
Olsen said: “Given the added physical strain of traveling and spending prolonged hours in the air, staying hydrated is crucial.
“After all, jet lag becomes more challenging to overcome when dehydration is a factor.”
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A sleep expert has also shared her tips to cure jet lag and explained why flying east is more tiring than going west.
Professor Leon Lack from Australia’s Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health has revealed that the ticket to a jet lag free flight is light therapy.
According to the professor, the “strongest tool” for readjusting your body clock is “bright light”.
Other hacks for jet lag include shifting your sleep schedule to match the time zone where you’re going, exercising and taking melatonin.
Fortunately, a host of apps and website have now emerged, calculating a series of sleep times to swerve the jet lag.
Experts have also recommended travellers to abstain from eating for 12 to 16 hours before the flight to pause your body clock.
An ex-airline executive has also explained how your seat can affect your jet lag.