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How To Avoid Jet Lag & Adjust To New Sleep Patterns During Travel


Published
04/18/2019

When traveling across multiple time zones, whether you're flying coast to coast in the United States or flying abroad, you have to deal with jet lag. Leaving from one timezone and then landing in a different timezone can be hard on your body. If you're not careful, you'll end up crashing at the wrong time and have a sleep schedule that doesn't align with your trip's schedule.

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Here are four of our best tips for coping with jet lag.

1. Consider Circadian Rhythms

This is an excellent method on how to overcome jet lag. The main idea behind it is that your body responds to the presence of light. When there is light, your body becomes awake and alert. If you need to rest on the plane, and it's light outside, be sure to close the plane window shade or wear a sleep mask. When you wake up, be sure to expose yourself to light. If it's dark outside, turn the light on above your seat or take a bathroom break.

2. Fight Drowsiness

When you change time zones, you might have to stay awake longer than you typically would to stay on a good sleep schedule. When you find yourself getting tired, it's essential that you fight it, so you don't goof up your sleep schedule for the remainder of your trip.

Take a short power nap, about 30 minutes, walk around or drink a strong cup of coffee. After you power through that tired first stage of your trip, you should be good to go for the rest of your trip in the new time zone!

3. Plan Ahead

Being proactive and planning ahead is one of the best ways to succeed in jet lag recovery. When booking your flight, consider whether it makes more sense to fly overnight or during the day. If you get the timing right and sleep on the plane at the right time, you can minimize your adjustment period and how long you should stay awake once you arrive.

When you travel multiple time zones away from home, you shouldn't just wing it. Getting enough sleep at the right time is the key to having a good trip! If you sleep all day, you miss out on all the amazing things to do and see in the place you're visiting.

4. Adjust Your Sleep Schedule and Routine

During you'll trip, you'll have to change when and how you sleep. The time zone you're traveling to and the time zone back home are very different, so it makes sense that you need to make some adjustments. Transitioning to the local time instead of the time back home lets you get the most out of your trip.

There are a few ways to help with your sleep. Before bedtime, dim the lights about an hour before you go to sleep and stop using screens like the TV and your cell phone before bed. Check out our other post for getting a good night's rest in a hotel for more tips!

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When you're looking for a great hotel in the Lancaster, PA area, choose the Warehouse Hotel. With an excellent variety of amenities and activities nearby, we know you'll have a fantastic time. Book your stay with us today!

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