Tips to help you manage jet lag when travelling

Is there anything worse than planning a trip, buying travel insurance, and navigating busy airports, only to arrive at your destination feeling utterly exhausted?

It’s known as “desynchronosis” by those who trade in $10 words. Most people know this condition as “jet lag,” and it affects even the most seasoned travellers.

However, there are some common sense remedies to help alleviate the effects of jet lag.

• Sunglasses – According to an article from the BBC, wearing sunglasses on long-haul flights may reduce the effects of jet lag. The author explains, “Scientists in Edinburgh have found people can adjust their body clocks when travelling to different time zones by altering their light patterns.”

• Hydration – Staying hydrated helps with jet lag. However, security specifications in airports, restricting the amount of fluids travellers can bring on a plane makes this more difficult than it used to be. Travellers should buy a drink on a flight, but should avoid alcohol and caffeine.

• Supplements – According to Wikipedia, melatonin “appears to have some use against other circadian rhythm sleep disorders as well, such as jet lag and the problems of people who work rotating or night shifts.”

• Eye masks – Some travel websites suggest travellers pack an eye mask to help them sleep during a flight.

• Walk around –  Take walks at various intervals, up and down the aisle, in order to stretch your muscles. Keep yourself moving to keep your blood flowing and stop it from pooling at your extremities.

• Local time – Once you’ve arrived at your destination, put yourself on local time as soon as possible.

• Jet lag calculator – British Airways has an online jet lag calculator. “Working in conjunction with the UK’s leading sleep expert, Dr. Chris Idzikowski, [British Airways] has developed the ultimate jet lag advisor. By answering a few simple questions regarding your recent or planned flights, we can advise you on the best things to do to minimize your jet lag.”