No Jet Lag - Tips No jet lag doesn't seem to be a high concern of the traveler until it is too late and they have landed.
Now they are trying to enjoy the beginning of their vacation, and can't.
I've heard of people losing a couple days of their seven day vacation to jet lag.
A one hour earlier time difference is not a big deal.
But a trip from the United States to some place like Australia, has you losing almost an entire day.
This can be more than your body can handle.
When I made that trip, I was certainly affected by jet lag.
But I really didn't know any better at the time, or know what to expect.
If you pay for a seven day vacation, you should enjoy a seven day vacation.
So the least I can do is share some of tips with you.
Here are a few suggestions to help you prepare in advance, so you'll experience no jet lag on your next trip.
It's really all in the preparation.
The first two may be the hardest to accept, but are both very important steps to no jet lag.
You need to start your trip well-rested.
I know this may seem impossible to do with all the last minute packing and "to do lists" , but make sure you get plenty of sleep the night before your trip.
The second tip is to avoid alcohol and overeating during your flight.
Try to eat healthy meals, and drink a lot of water to stay hydrated at the different altitudes.
I know how tempting it would be to tip back a couple beers on your flight.
But you are really further ahead to wait and start celebrating your vacation once you get back down on the ground.
I find it amazing how good water tastes when I fly.
It's because your body becomes dehydrated, and needs water during your flight.
Also try to get as much exercise as possible while in flight.
I don't mean go look for the gym, just simple leg movement, and foot turns from your seat.
Or a few minutes standing every two hours will help you out a lot more than you think.
A person that is already fit from a regular exercise routine will not be as affected from a long flight as the unfit passenger will.
Also avoid sleep medications at all costs.
Even if you use them on a regular basis at home, try your hardest not to take them while you are flying.
Your body is already messed up from this travel experience.
Don't add to it with pills that force you to sleep at the wrong time.
If possible, try to slowly get in the time zone you are flying to, even several days before you ever leave on your trip.
Use this as an example, if the time zone is 3 hours earlier, get up 1 hour earlier 3 days before your vacation.
Then 2 hours earlier on the second day, and 3 hours earlier on day 3, or the day before your vacation.
If you are able to pull this one off, it will really help you adjust when you arrive to your vacation destination.
Of course, you will also be expected to follow a new eating and sleeping pattern to coincide with your earlier wake up schedule.
But your goal is to enjoy "day one" of your vacation, and not stumble through it.
This will help you force your body into no jet lag mode.
I would also recommend a product designed to give a person no jet lag symptoms after flying.
There are many products out there on the market today, but only one that is designed to help build your immune system in such a way that keeps your body pH level truly in balance.
This has found its way on my travel checklist, and now I will never leave home without it.