This post, How To Get Over Jet Lag, was originally published in October 2018 and has been completely updated.
Do you have a trip coming up that will cross over multiple time zones?
Worried that you won’t be able to adjust to the new time zone?
Hate knowing you’re going to have jet lag the first few days of your trip?
Well, I’ve got some great jet lag treatment and recovery options, along with some remedies, that will get you back on your feet in no time!!!
We’ll also be talking about some preventative measures you can take too before your trip even starts!
And what about your little ones? No worries, I’ve got you covered 🙂
But first, let’s talk about what it is!
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Jet Lag
Defined by the Mayo Clinic it’s, “a temporary sleep problem that can affect anyone who quickly travels across multiple time zones”.
For anyone who’s already experienced it can attest, it can be horribly miserable!
Depending on how many time zones you will cross over will likely determine how ‘severe’ and how long it will take you to recover from jet lag.
Symptoms
Here are some of the symptoms you might notice:
- problems sleeping at the ‘appropriate times’
- being extremely tired during the day
- not being able to concentrate
Preventative Measures:
∼Adjust your schedule
If there is a five to seven-hour time difference, try to start adjusting your schedule before your trip. This will help get your body moving in the right direction to having disrupted sleep.
Now if your trip is only four or less time zones away it may be just as easy to stick to your normal schedule.
If your time difference is more than eight hours, I’ve got your tips below 🙂
∼Mentally prepare
I am all about being mentally prepared for situations! I think the more you understand what’s going to happen (in almost any situation) the better.
That being said, mapping out the time difference and knowing that when it’s 8 am at home it’s going to be 6 pm where you’re going helps me a lot. Not only that but it will help you figure out when you will be needing to take any medicines/vaccines at the ‘new’ time.
We recently went to the Philippines (from the States), which meant about a 12-hour difference ahead. To make sure we were taking our vaccine pills on time I had to first figure out when exactly we were getting there, what time that meant it would be here in the States, for us to start our pills on time.
Travel will make you tired, travel anyway!!
Departure:
∼Adjust some more
If you started adjusting your sleep before your trip then you will be well on your way to minimizing your jet lag.
If you didn’t, for whatever reason, your flight is your next best opportunity to start getting adjusted.
And it doesn’t matter what time your flight is! As soon as you get on your flight, act as if you’re already on your new time.
On a previous trip to the Philippines, we had a day flight (which meant a night flight – it was already night-time because of the 12-hour difference).
You know what? The contacts came out, I brushed my teeth, washed my face and did everything in my power to ‘sleep’.
I know, I know, your asking but did it work.
Well, no, I didn’t actually sleep at all 🙁 but it was the act of doing my nighttime routine and resting that in the long run did actually work!
So on the flip side, if you have a night flight, which means it’s daytime at your destination, then try to stay up.
You have lots of options to help you.
My first choice? Get caught up on the movies you’ve missed.
But with all the ability to bring on gadgets and tech, it should be pretty easy to stay up at least a bit!
Arrival:
∼When in Rome
That’s right – When in Rome do as the Romans do!
Now, of course, that is easier said than done when it comes to jet lag.
But, the best thing you can do when you get to your destination is to be on that schedule.
If it’s morning, stay up! Take a nap if you need to, but under no circumstances should you sleep more than an hour or so.
And go to bed early, if you want, but if you can stay up most of the day it’ll help in the adjustment.
If it’s night, try to lay down. Even if you can’t or don’t sleep, close your eyes and rest.
Do not, I repeat, do not stay up watching tv, playing games, scrolling through social media, etc.
I know it’ll be tempting, but do your best to just rest.
Jet Lag Treatment:
∼Consistency
Keep on it!
-
- Just like what they suggest at home is the same while you’re away. Try to go to bed at the same time every night and get yourself up at the same time.
- Limit naps.
∼Natural Options
Other Jet Lag Treatments and Remedies:
Little Ones:
Depending on their ages will, of course, make a difference in how quickly they will adjust to a time difference and the jet lag that will follow.
If your child is still taking naps, then you will have an easier time!
My little guy has always adjusted to new time zones so much better than us adults.
And I think it’s because, up until recently, he’d still been taking naps.
It would still take a night or two but that’s it!!!
When they get older, just like us adults, it’s a bit more of a struggle.
But then you can certainly use the above suggestions (please check with your family doctor, physician, etc. for appropriate doses, etc.).
In Conclusion
It is not fun but with these great jet lag treatments and remedies at hand, you’ll have plenty of ammunition to fight it off.
Start adjusting as soon as you can and be patient.
It takes time no matter what but these treatments, remedies and preventative measures will help tremendously!