As a recruiter specializing in executive placements, I'm often on the move. I have to adjust fast once I land, and that means I can't be suffering jet lag. It's a sacrifice, but something that really helps me stay fresh is giving up coffee when I'm flying. Normally, I love a cup in the mornings, but when I'm traveling, the last thing I need is caffeine. It's never the right time; in fact, I know that as soon as I finish a cup, my meeting will be delayed or my flight pushed back. To stay rested, I need to be able to grab sleep whenever I can, and that means catching shut-eye at surprising hours, and skipping the buzz until I get back.
Light physical activity or exercise (even a simple walk outside) after a flight always help us to reduce the fatigue and improve the quality of sleep in the final destination.
Hi, As a travel industry analyst since 2008 and cofounder at Radical Storage, a global luggage storage company, I have traveled a lot in recent years and would like to put my thoughts on how to reduce jet lag's effects. There are plenty of ways to fight off jet lag and its nasty effects on your well-being, but one of them has been proven to be effective on many other people, which is to mimic your usual routine back home as much as you can so that your body doesn’t suffer the time change as much as it can be possible. For example, one thing that can help you with the jet lag effects can be to schedule your naps and sleeping times, in order to mimic your usual sleeping schedule back home and avoid any kind of consequences on your sleeping, once you arrive at your destination. One other tip I recommend for those worried about jet lag is to recreate your night routine even on the plane so that your body can recognize the signs of the sleeping time arriving: eat at a certain time before your sleeping time and do activities that you usually do during the night, such as skincare or some activity, like walking around or reading a book you’ve been reading that week. Bio: I have worked in the travel industry since 2008 across multiple niches including tourist transportation, luxury travel, and ecotourism. I now focus on growing the global luggage storage network, Radical Storage, which is currently available in over 600 cities, in the likes of London, Nairobi, New York, and Rio de Janeiro.
One way I found that works well to help me feel better after a long flight is by taking melatonin. This is especially helpful when I travel from the east coast of the United States to Europe, like when I fly from Seattle to London. On these journeys, I pop a melatonin pill shortly after boarding, which helps reset my internal clock to the new time zone. Melatonin is a hormone that regulates your sleep-wake cycles. It can make a big difference in minimising jet lag's effects on your body. It essentially tricks your body into adjusting more quickly to the new schedule. This strategy allowed me to sleep for most of the 10-hour flight, aligning my rest pattern with the destination's night-time. The result? I hit the ground running upon arrival, largely bypassing the dreaded jet lag that used to hamper my first few days. It's a simple, accessible solution – you can find melatonin at any pharmacy in the USA. Just this small step can significantly ease the transition across time zones, making international travel less taxing on your body and mind. On my return trip from South Korea to the UK, I implemented a different tactic based on my previous experience. From a prior journey, I learned that succumbing to sleep too early worsened my jet lag. So, during this 10-hour flight back, I committed to staying awake as long as possible. I focused on hydration, drinking plenty of water and avoiding alcohol, to keep my body in its best form. This approach aimed to keep my circadian rhythm in line with my destination's time zone, resisting sleep until a more appropriate hour upon arrival. The difference was palpable. I tried to sleep at the same time as people in the UK, even when I was on the plane. This helped me feel less tired and more ready to do things when I arrived. These experiences taught me that whether using melatonin to encourage sleep or strategically staying awake to match my destination's time zone. This, for me, is the key to beating jet lag lies in preemptively managing your body's clock.
My go-to strategy is adjusting my sleep schedule before I even board the plane. A week before my trip, I gradually shifts my bedtime and wake-up time closer to the schedule of my destination. This preemptive adjustment eases the transition, making the time zone change less jarring upon arrival. This idea came from a personal experience of struggling with jet lag during a trip that had me hopping across multiple time zones. After enduring days of disorientation and exhaustion, I knew there had to be a better way. Research and experimentation led me to this proactive approach. I tweak my routine in advance, and I've been able to significantly reduce the effects of jet lag, making my travels more enjoyable from day one. It's an effective way to sync with new time zones, ensuring that I'm ready to dive into my adventures without skipping a beat.
Initiating the combat jet lag problem in case of journeying over several time zones, I first change my bedtime gradually to fit with one of the destinations before traveling. Changing my sleep schedule by an hour in favor of a new time zone each day closer to departure helps me pre-adjust my body to reduce the effects of jetlag. This plan can be made effective by also avoiding taking caffeine and alcohol while on board and keeping oneself hydrated.
As a fairly frequent traveler, one thing I've found effective for beating jet lag is to gradually adjust my sleep schedule a few days before departure to more closely align with the time zone of my destination. I also, upon arrival, make it a point to spend plenty of time outdoors in natural sunlight, which helps reset my body to the new time zone. This has significantly reduced the effects of jet lag and helps me adjust quicker to a new location
As a seasoned tech CEO, I've got an unconventional yet efficient way of tackling jet lag. Before flying, I immerse myself in local culture of my destination - even if it's just through TV shows, music, or conversations with my international team. I let that country's vibe seep in and mentally transport me, aligning my body with the new rhythm before I set foot there. It's just like remote work, but instead of files and reports, it's all about sounds, images and feelings. This cultural 'teleporting' helps create a smooth transition and fights off jet lag!