Jetlag.
An inevitable part of travel, am I right?
So, how do you deal with it? Do you have a system?
While I’m no expert, I’ve picked up some tips over the years that work for me.
Stick to the country’s clock.
Whatever time you arrive in the country you’re visiting, stick to their clock. Don’t go to sleep at three in the afternoon because it’s three in the morning at home. Instead, ride it out, and go to sleep when it’s time for sleep. It sucks, but it helps! Along with this…
Fill your first day with planned activities.
While you’re doing your best not to crawl onto any flat surface and pass out, the day will go much faster if you have a few easy activities plan. It’s probably not the day for intense walking, but meandering through a museum, stopping at a few restaurants or coffee shops, or hitting a cathedral can be a good way to see the sights, keep yourself awake, while not working yourself so hard you need a nap. I also love to wander near wherever I’m staying, as fresh air feels so great after that pressurized cabin.
Splurge for a nice(r) hotel for one night.
I’m not saying you need a night at the Ritz (if you can afford that, can we travel together?) but a nicer bed and a bathroom you don’t have to share can make the adjustment so much nicer. It also helps to have a place to stay all lined up, so you don’t have to find one at four a.m. on the busy streets of Bangkok. Getting one solid night’s sleep in a comfy bed can do wonders for the rest of your trip. Getting at hotel with a location near all the activities on your must-see list can be really helpful that first night, too, so you don’t add extra stress trying to get around a new, foreign land.
Hydrate.
Drink that water, on the plane, and when you get there!
Sleep on the plane.
If you can! I know I always have a really hard time with this, so do what you can do. I usually watch a movie or read, which will eventually exhaust my eyes and knock me out for a little while at least. In a perfect world, we would be able to sleep the entire flight and arrive totally refreshed, but I’ve rarely had that happen. Wear comfortable clothes, too, so you aren’t cursing your skinny jeans or push-up bra while you’re trying to sleep. If you must wear those cute heels on the plane, bring socks to give your dogs a break! Also…
Bring a small bag of comforts on the plane with you.
I always bring a toothbrush, eye drops, face wipes, a few small snacks (including chocolate), a pillow or blanket, a clean pair of socks and undergarments. A blanket will go a long way in helping you sleep, stay warm, or can be used as a pillow. Face wipes and a toothbrush will make you feel much more human when you arrive, even if you’re just heading straight to your room.
Stick to a sleep schedule.
Although traveling can be fun 24/7, especially when you first arrive, it’s best to have a consistent sleep schedule. Going to bed early even for a few nights can help you get rid of jetlag and fully enjoy your trip. Usually, you want to, anyway!
Give yourself time to adjust.
I know I get frustrated while traveling when I want to see and do everything, but my body just needs to rest. It’s okay to spend a few nights in your room, getting extra sleep and relaxing, because that will make the rest of your trip much more bearable.
Share some of YOUR tips in the comments!
Today I’m linking up again with Casey, Jordan and Angela for Fresh Face Friday!
This is letter J for the A to Z Challenge. Click below to visit some of the other great bloggers taking part!
Kaelene Spence says
Jet lag is a tricky one! I think adjusting to your new time zone right away is really important though!
AmyMacWorld says
It really is! I think you can do all of these things and STILL struggle…and sometimes it seems easier for no reason!
Natalie Joseph says
Luckily I haven’t suffered too badly with Jetlag *touch wood* but I agree, you need to stick to the country you’re visiting’s time – it’s difficult but always doable 🙂
AmyMacWorld says
Lucky you! 🙂 any tips for me that make it not so bad for you??
Camila says
Very interesting post! I found that the trick is to yes stick to the country’s time but also to keep busy. Although it might be the last thing we want to do, sometimes, getting early in the morning to go do something will make your inner clock need to readjust right away. You’ll be probably terribly tired but that night you get home, sleep in early and ta-da the next morning you’ll be on the correct schedule 😀 (obviously I don’t follow my own advices so have lots of trouble getting adjusted to new time zones lol)
AmyMacWorld says
You’re so right! It’s easy to promise yourself you’ll do these tips, like sleep early and not nap, until you’re actually in the throes of jet lag…then your good intentions might fly out the window if you sit on a comfy bed!
Christy Childers says
Agreed, staying awake the first day can feel impossible, but it’s so worth it. xx
AmyMacWorld says
It makes such a difference! Thanks so much for reading 🙂