A severe case of jet lag is an awful way to start a trip. Jet lag is the result of interrupting your body's normal sleep-wake cycle when your arrive in a new time zone. Adjust your body clock to lessen the effects of jet lag, which include fatigue, irritability and stomach upset. Preparation before your trip can help ease these symptoms and start your trip off on the right foot. Jet lag tips can also work if you need to adjust your body clock for a new, non-traditional work shift.
Before your trip, make sure you get plenty of sleep to avoid a sleep debt. Too little sleep will make the jet lag and adjustment period even worse. Try to shift your bedtime to that of your destination. If you're flying west, go to bed later; if you're going east, go to bed earlier.
On the day you leave, drink plenty of non-alcoholic, caffeine-free liquids to stay hydrated. Water is best. Eat light, non-fatty meals to reduce possible stomach upset.
If you're traveling by plane, keep drinking water, because plane air can be especially dry. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes. Walk around occasionally to keep blood circulating. Bring earplugs and an eye mask and try to sleep at the normal bedtime of your destination.
When you arrive in your destination, take a nap of 30 minutes or less to get over the immediate fatigue. Then try to stay up until the local bedtime. If you arrive at your normal meal time, but it's not a normal meal time in your destination, try eating a small snack and waiting until the usual meal time in your destination for more food.
