4 Tips and Ways to Deal With Jet-lag
Anyone who has travelled to another country or taken a few international flights will really know what it feels like. If you are about to go on a long awaited holiday on the other side of the planet this is the article for you. Always planning ahead and preparing properly is a big part of travel. Don’t just limit that to what you want to do and your travel insurance. The effects of jet-lag may have a great impact on your travel or fun, and yet is rarely discussed. The inspiration for this real traveller article….
Understanding jet-lag. Most people assume that jet-lag is caused by someone being tired. It is a little more than that. There are no quick fixes unless you want to resort to something drastic. Jet-lag is caused by change in time difference after travel. You may be just tired from a 14 hour flight from Hong Kong to New York, leaving you susceptible to confusion, but know that when you left at 8am in Hong Kong, it will be around 8am when you arrive, and the rest of New York is ready for a new day. You may be ready for bed because your body still thinks it is 10pm. Depending on which way you fly around the planet, you either gain time or lose a lot of time and this can be very confusing even for the seasoned traveller. I once missed out on New Years Eve celebrations travelling from the USA to Hong Kong because I had lost a day somewhere in my travels and went out to celebrate and it was all over and the night of January the first. Tiredness, body clock confusion, and general confusion, are all elements of your new travel partner – jet-lag.
Know your flight times. Before you plan your immediate arrangements on arrival, take a good look at your flight time and changes. Flight itineraries can be a little confusing. Make sure you are clear of the actual flight time. ‘+1′ on the itinerary means ‘add a whole day,’ potentially messing up your bookings and plans. Make sure you are also aware of the dates.
Avoid crash solutions. It is unfortunate but the reality is that many people who travel regularly and especially business people who cannot adjust their schedules to suit them, and must punch out a full day where-ever they land, often resort to sleeping aids and sleeping pills. Don’t be fooled by the multitude of adverts you will see while on international travel. The fine print always has a shocking statement. Medications can really mess with your perception, brain function and body function, even long after use, and are highly addictive. Most people that start never stop and their sleeping patterns and sleep quality is nearly always permanently disturbed. Fighting through times when you are tired and waiting when you are awake is the only way to really deal with jet-lag. Preparation is so important. If you go to the other side of the planet it may take a good 10 days for you to start feeling right, which maybe your whole holiday..
Start bending your body clock early. Using the HK to NY example, leaving at 8am and arriving at 8am for someone who normally has a daytime lifestyle, it would be a good idea to start sleeping shorter amounts in the days in the lead up to departure. You may feel slightly tired in those days but you can catch that up closer to the end of the flight, and then wake up again when you arrive in NY. Each flight and the direction around the world will result in different situations, and so you need to think about the way that suits you best.
Remember when you are on budget travel with cheap flights and cheap travel insurance you will probably be subject to more of the effects of jet-lag and your itinerary potentially confusing. Think through what you are about to do carefully and you will have a good trip.
