How to get over jet lag while you travel

Jet lag is a temporary sleep problem that can affect anyone who travels quickly. It's hard to get over jet lag when you're a frequent traveler. I have developed a few jet lag tips and tricks after many years of travel.

Let's look at some of the symptoms of jet lag.

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Symptoms of Jet Lag – what does jet lag feel like?

Is jet lag a thing? We often get a question from our readers, such as "What is jet lag?" What are the symptoms of jet lag? What does jet lag do? I don't know if I have jet lag.

At times the symptoms of jet lag can be seen. Some of the symptoms that sufferers of jet lag report are listed below.

• Fatigue / Tired – this is probably the biggest and most “visible” symptom of jet lag. You are simply tired and your body is fatigued.
• Insomnia – Jet lag insomnia can make it difficult to sleep (and difficult to wake).
• Difficulty concentrating – Often due to the massive fatigue your body is suffering from, you may, at times, have difficulty concentrating – especially on simple tasks.
• Moods – irritability or depression can often accompany travelers suffering from jet lag. You are irritable because you are tired!
• Jet Lag Nausea – travelers that are jetlagged may experience stomach issues, constipation or nausea.
• Fever – some people, although not many, may experience jet lag fever which is basically just a fever while being jet lagged.
• Overall “ugh” feeling – probably the best way to describe jet lag is an overall feeling of “ugh!” You just aren’t right. Not at peak levels. That feeling of “ugh” could mean you have jet lag.

Jet lag can be subtle at times. In the first 48 hours after travel, it can sneak up on you.

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What causes Jet lag?

The term jet lag is used for a specific condition. Say that three times fast. The rest of us refer to it as jet lag disorder.

What causes the irregular heartbeat? It's in the name. The person is adiant.

The rhythms of your body are what you work on. Our internal clock is referred to as this. Our body adjusts after being in a specific part of the world. Things will happen throughout the day after it adjusts. It's like sleeping and eating.

Your body wants to sleep at the same time every day. Wake up at the same time.

You have to fly halfway around the world to a different time zone.

Your body is like that. We're taking a walking tour of the castle and I want to sleep.

I know it is 2 am but I want to go for a run and get another cup of coffee.

It's called jet lag. The symptoms of jet are when your body gets completely out of whack.

How Long Does Jet Lag Last?

Travelers suffer from jet lag and often ask this question. What time will my jet lag last? We understand...haha... It doesn't feel good.

It's good news. Jet lag lasts a long time. Jet lag lasts between 3-6 days. It isn't that long. It is best to avoid jet lag altogether if you are going on a short vacation because it can be a buzz kill.

Now that we know what jet lag feels like and what some of the jet lag symptoms are, let's get into some of the tips to get over jet lag, or better yet, how to avoid jet lag altogether.

You can find more information on JetLag in this video.

11 Tips to get over Jet Lag

There are some things you can do to get over jet lag.

Before the flight – how to avoid jet lag!

Jet lag can be mitigated with some ideas. Do these things before you leave.

1. Hydrate. Water is a key aspect to mitigating the effects of jet lag. By keeping your body hydrated you will give it the best chance to fight off the effects of travel and keep your immune system functioning a higher level. It can also help your body fight off the effects of the typically very dry air prevalent in airplane cabins.
2. Get plenty of rest. Try to get some extra sleep if you can before your flight. Think of this as “house credit.” Getting plenty of rest is a key ingredient to minimizing the effects of jet lag when you get to your destination.
3. Gently adjust your sleep/wake schedule before your trip. Wake up an hour earlier in the days before your flight to “pre-load” your body’s adjustment to the new time zone. If you are traveling someplace that is 10 hours difference shaving off 3 hours can make a real difference and if your new time zone is only 3 hours from your original time zone you can be pretty close to ready when you get there.

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During the flight – how to beat jet lag!

There are a few things you can do to reduce the effects of jet lag.

1. Hydrate. Staying hydrated while you fly is a great strategy to limit the impacts of jet lag. It will keep your digestive system moving in the right direction, reduce the chance of getting and headache and keep your immune system functioning at the right levels. I’ve found that bringing a collapsible water bottle and filling it up after you get through security is a great way to make it easier to stay hydrated.
2. Stretch on the plane and at the airport. Get the blood flowing by stretching and moving around. Loosen up your joints and digestive system by stretching and moving around a bit during the flight.
3. Minimize alcohol. It’s tempting to kick back a gin and tonic on your flight – and by all means do so if that’s your thing. But don’t have 6 of them…being hungover and jet lagged is miserable…
4. Sleep – if you can (and if it’s a time you’d normally sleep). It’s often hard to sleep on the plane regardless of whether it is day or night, but if it’s a time you’d normally sleep, get a little rest, if you can. You can build up a little “house credit,” if you will, that may come in handy later. You might even want to grab a great travel pillow to help you sleep a little better or some good quality noise canceling headphones (like the Bose Noise Masking Sleepbuds).

Check the price of Bose noise masks.

Check out our article on the top travel pillows.

After the flight – jet lag treatment, or how to beat jet lag part 2

There are a few jet lag tips you can use.

1. Get some sun. The sun is a key ingredient to getting your body to reset it’s “clock.” When skin is exposed to sun it reacts by turning cholesterol into Vitamin D which can support bone health among other things. It also plays a great role in “normalizing” your body to the local time zone. Specifically, the light “influences the regulation of melatonin, a hormone that helps synchronize cells throughout the body” according to the Mayo Clinic.
2. Eat on the local schedule. Continuing to normalize your body is a key aspect to getting over jet lag. So, even if you are not hungry, eat if it’s lunch time.
3. Hydrate. Continue the theme of regular hydration (a great tip for non-travel days too). The water will keep your digestive system working, your cells and joints lubricated and likely reduce the chance of headaches.
4. Force your body to adjust to the local time. If it’s day when arrive…try to stay up. Don’t crash out for 4 hours. If you absolutely have to, take a small 20 minute nap (sitting up will help you avoid dropping into a deep sleep). If it’s night, try to sleep. If need be, take a Tylenol PM (or whatever sleep medicine your doctor has prescribed you).

There are 9 healthy travel snacks that you might like.

Jet Lag Medicine?

Travelers may consider taking some jet lag pills to treat jet lag.

One or more combinations of the options are usually involved.

• Meletonin Supplements – these supplements can greatly aid your body’s circadian rhythms in adjusting. Meletonin, if you didn’t know, is a natural hormone that your body produces (your brain, specifically) and it signals your body that it’s time to sleep.
  • Often, travelers will use Meletonin when they return from a trip. Basically you just want sleep…and Meletonin can a great way to beat jet lag when you get home
• A truly homeopathic approach – there are any number of companies selling jet lag medicine. Many use combinations of lavender and vanilla to aid travelers in getting better rest while traveling (and thus dealing with jet lag). Be careful here and do your research.
  • Also, try to avoid any jet lag cures that your mother’s best friend’s cousin cooked up – or at least do your research first.
• Sleeping Pills – typically prescribed by your doctor. In essence, you take the pills to help you sleep when it’s “time” to sleep IN the time zone you are in (and thus mitigate the effects of jet lag, quicker).

We are not medical professionals. A medical professional should always be consulted before taking supplements.

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Genexa Jet Lax pills have a check price.

Final Thoughts on avoiding jet lag (or treating it!)

These tips will help you get over jet lag. If you use these tips, you can get over jet lag in a few days and enjoy your vacation quicker.

If you have any jet lag tips, please let us know. Leave a comment and follow us on social media

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