Medicine and homeopathy are quick-fix for jet lag, but these are not your only options. Small changes to your travel plan can rewind the clock and quickly get you back on your feet minus the lethargy. Take your next flight and walk out energetic, fresh like a flight attendant, with these 10 tips.

What Is Jet Lag?

It is a feel of extreme tiredness, coupled with other physical symptoms experiences after a long-haul flight over different time zones.

Symptoms Of Jet Lag:

Medicalnewstoday.com lists out jet lag symptoms you may not be aware:

• Headaches or heavy head
• Fatigue
• Lack of sleep
• Irritation
• Mild depression
• Hard to concentrate on one thing for long
• Lack of appetite
• Daze
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea
• Constipation

10 Quick-Fixes For Jet Lag:

1) Correct The Body Clock

At least a week before you scheduled flight, change your sleep patterns. If you are flying east sleep and wake up early. If you are flying west, delay your sleep, so wake and sleep later than the regular time. This method is a luxury, but if you can change your sleep pattern even a bit while balancing work and other commitments, then you can beat jet lag.

2) Stopovers Helps

Layover, transit, or stopover—unknowingly, they help you adjust to the time difference. When you reach your stopover, take advantage of the time zone and adjust with it. This will help you feel less tired and groggy when you reach your destination.

3) Snooze On The Flight

Follow the pattern of your destination. If it is night at that particular time of your new location, then sleep. It can be hard to fall asleep on the plane, so create a comfortable environment—wear pajamas, carry a blanket, cardigan, and eye mask. Eat and sleep on the flight based on the time zone your new location is based. If it is day time, use these hours to relax.

4) Gadget Friendly

If you have to stay awake, stay plugged in. The logic behind is that the light emitted from your device is akin to sunlight, so it rewires your body clock and keeps you awake. Vice versa, you can use your phone or tablet to fall asleep. Download one of the various apps that offers a red filter that prevents the light and lulls you into sleep.

5) No Alcohol

Alcohol dehydrates. The air in the plane also dehydrates. Put them together and you will feel uneasy, groggy, unwell, and awake. If you are trying to nap, alcohol will disrupt it. Drink plenty of water to counteract the feeling of dehydration, before and on the flight.

6)  No Caffeine

Caffeine before a flight or on the flight can disrupt your sleep pattern if you are trying to adjust the body clock to a different time zone. This property can last in your system, maximum, 14 hours in some cases. If you want to sleep, caffeinated drinks are not the best choice.

7) Sun, sun, sun

When you reach your destination, enjoy daylight. This is one of the quickest way to align your body clock. Sunlight ensures your circadian rhythm modifies to your new location.

Tricks of the trade:

When traveling west, soak in the sun in the morning, but avoid it in the afternoon. When traveling east, enjoy the afternoon sun, and avoid daylight in the morning.

8) Block Your Sleep

Get a minimum of four hours of sleep at a stretch at your destination. This is a process that will get you adjusted to your time zone. If you can, get the regular hours of sleep you would have on a given day.

9) On Short Trips

It is a matter of few days, stick to your daily scheduled of sleep. It will be easier to get back to work without the feeling of lethargy.

10) Fitness Level

This is one of the least known tips to beat jet lag. Your fitness level dictates how well you can cope with jet lag after you land. Exercise, eat healthy, and get a lot of rest before you get on a flight. Your stamina and conditioning predicts your level of coping with jet lag.

Jet lag is a temporary problem and it will last on the number time zones you have crossed. Medicinenet.com suggests that ‘the body clock will adjust to the new time zone at the rate of one or two time zones per day. For example, if you crossed six time zones, the body will typically adjust to this time change in three to five days.’ Time heals all jet lag.

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