How To Cure Jet Lag

Jet lag is that annoying dragging feeling you get when you travel far away from home.  You tend to be tired, irritable, cranky and have troubles functioning during the normal time in your new destination.  This can cause a severe kink in your vacation, or make business meetings even more complicated.  The biggest problem with jet lag is that there isn't really a cure, and many of the odd little prevention techniques you hear about usually don't help all that much, and won't teach you how to cure, or get over, your jet lag.

Before Flying:

One of the most important things to do to help your body combat jet lag is to make sure you have everything in order before you leave.  This includes personal affairs and business affairs.  Try not to be stressed out or worried.  Be sure not to drink alcohol the evening before.  Get plenty of exercise before leaving, and make sure that you have a good night's sleep.

East or West?  Night or Day?

Some people say that flying west causes less jetlag than flying east.  This has not been proven to be true.  Flying during the daytime or nighttime is a matter of your personal preference.  Some say that flying during the day causes less jet lag, but if you are able to sleep at night on the plane, then this is probably not a problem.  Using sleeping aids such as ear plugs, blow-up pillows and neck rests may help you get comfortable for sleeping.  Also taking off your shoes may help (as long as your neighbor doesn't mind).

Symptoms of Jet Lag

Jet lag is when your body keeps on your normal sleep and wake cycle when you travel to a different time zone or part of the world.  While many people get jet lag due to frequent travel, there are some that it affects more than others.  Typically, the older you are, the more likely you are to get it, or if you've never traveled before or travel infrequently, then you may develop jet lag.  There are several syptoms you'll display if you have developed jet lag.

• Disorientation
• Lack of Concentration
• Irrationality
• Fatigue
• Limb Discomfort
• Dehydration

Most of this is due to the fact that your body has been thrown off of its normal cycle of wake and rest.  If you're used to going to sleep at 8:00 p.m., and you travel 7 hours away, all of the sudden your body is thinking you should be going to sleep at either 1:00 p.m. or at 2:00 a.m., depending on which way you travel.

How To "Cure" Jet Lag

Like I said, there is no direct cure for jet lag, and everyone's body works differently.  What may work for one person will not work for another.  I rarely get jet lag, and even after years of traveling, have only had one experience where I will say it was a minor annoyance.  Before you fly, it is recommended that you get plenty of rest, hydrate yourself, have everything packed early (to reduce stress), and eat well before you go.  Ensuring that you are well rested will give you the ability to instantly adjust your schedule when you arrive.

During your flight, if it is your normal time to sleep, you should do so.  If it's your normal time to be awake, you should stay awake.  Make sure you keep your normal cycles until you get there, then adjust on your first day.  During your flight, you should also avoid coffee, tea, caffeine drinks, and alcohol during the flight, as these can both dehydrate you and cause issues with your sleep cycle. 

After your flight, you should do your best to stay awake until your normal bedtime in the timezone.  If you go to sleep at 8:00 p.m., stay up until 8:00 p.m. in that time zone and wake up at your normal time.  This should do wonders for figuring out how to cure jet lag.

Simple Tricks To Cure Jet Lag

There are very few, but they do help in the process of getting over jet lag.  After you've flown, you should try some of these to make that first day of adjustment easier.  Whatever you do, do your best to not take a long nap, since you will just fall back into your normal sleep cycle.  Try these to help with the first day in your new location.

• Get plenty of sunlight, as it will increase some of your natural vitamin production.
• Get a shower.
• Rehydrate.
• Eat a decent, light meal. 
• Try not to think about what time it is at home.