I dont travel to Europe anymore for business, but go there occasionally for fun. What that means is, if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may make a commission at no additional cost to you. Drink Plenty of Water to Avoid Jet Lag. Managing jet lag involves paying attention to your light intake and other cues to synch your internal clock to a new time zone. The best way to avoid jet lag is to make a plan ahead of time utilizing the tools below and make sure to implement that plan before your trip begins to help transition your bodys circadian rhythms as quickly as possible. Melatonin for Jet Lag: Does It Work? - Healthline I was tired and hangry, didnt know the language, and had to hunt for an open establishment that also served food that sounded good and quick. From that experience, I learned to start packing approved snacks. Working out earlier in the morning before departure helped to get your body tired enough to rest on the plane, whether youre able to actually sleep or not, which should help shift you into earlier sleep times needed to enjoy Europe. ", I also buy a bottle of water at the airport (or fill up my reusable water bottle) so I have it available before the flight crew serves drinks. Thats why (1) I prefer late departures and (2) airline service is so vexing, they need to serve meals on a single tray and clear them immediately, turning off the lights as soon as possible and quit waking everyone up an hour out to collect headphones as AA generally does. It is considered a sleep disorder, which is a disruption of the internal body clock. 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. 1 Adjust your sleep and eating schedule. As I often do, I take one trip where I dont follow the advice, and give into a glass of champagne and a snack in the evening. What is jet lag? If passengers dont drink enough water during a flight, they might get dizzy and parched. Which Side Of The Plane? Adjust a couple of your clocks, phone, or watch to your destinations local time. After youve gotten some nourishment, push for a nice long walk, or even better, an invigorating gym workout or class. This travel mug has a second, equally amazing purpose that I piloted today: cooking ramen. I appreciate BA no linger offer Newark to Heathrow daytime flights but plenty other operators do daytime flights from EWR, JFK, ORD, BOS & IAD. "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Question", Some of these flights include flying from Athens to Singapore, Frankfurt Germany to Fairbanks in Alaska, Istanbul to Kathmandu, and UK to Australia via Singapore. Limit or eliminate caffeine, sugar and alcohol the night before and the day of the flight. Lets be honest: I also wrote off the subsequent morning, as well. Gilbert Ott is an ever curious traveler and one of the world's leading travel experts. How to Get Over Jet Lag: 8 Tips and Suggestions - Healthline Sleep On Plane During Destination Nighttime, planes are equivalent to 6,000 to 8,000 feet in altitude. Once the water was done, I poured it over the noodles, secured the lid, and proceeded with unpacking and cleaning up a bit. I thought that jet lag was just something every traveler had to deal with. I usually pack a reusable mug in addition to my water bottle. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. How to Avoid Jet Lag After Flying to USA - happyschools.com ", Unfortunately, its not just food thats out the window after 2PM too, its one of the more fun parts of travel for some the drinking! For example, before traveling from the East Coast to Europe, go to bed a half-hour earlier than usual for several nights. It can take up to a week or more in extreme cases. On the way over to IAD from LHR last week during a daytime flight, I was astounded that they did this. I would traditionally recommend that you dont drink alcohol, but I dont think one beer or one glass of wine will hurt if itll help you sleep. I used to write-off my arrival day when traveling across the Atlantic Ocean. Watch what you eat (and drink). Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window). A long flight can be very dehydrating. How to Get Over Jet Lag: Our (Almost) Foolproof System - Thrifty Traveler "It should be easier to stay awake, you get there in the . Dont exacerbate jet lag by reminding yourself of what time it is back home. Im adjusted. You arrive late evening/Night time so can sleep easily at night time GMT. Why is jet lag worse coming home? - Rick Steves Travel Forum Planning ahead and preparing for jet lag is key when making a long-distance flight from Europe to the US. Leaving New York on Sunday, coming back Wednesday and then returning again to London Thursday night. Apps are another way to start adjusting your schedule. Dehydration makes it harder for your body to adjust to the new rhythm. Take it easy and try to stay positive you're on vacation! The theory is that waking you up during a period of restlessness will more naturally and gently lift you out of sleep, thereby skipping that dreaded nap hangover.. Keep caffeine and alcohol intake low on the journey. How to Beat Jet Lag on International Flights | Going Places - OneTravel Greek Island Hopping | Greece Travel Itineraries | Bicycle Touring. Im on my laptop or reading and Im not tired. Based on this evidence, you should get proper hydration before and during your flight to Europe. You will probably have a later boarding group, so you may miss out on overhead space. @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-officeescapeartist_com-large-billboard-2-0-asloaded{max-width:250px!important;max-height:250px!important;}}if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'officeescapeartist_com-large-billboard-2','ezslot_5',114,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-officeescapeartist_com-large-billboard-2-0');report this ad. Such steps include avoiding bright light at night, eating light meals, drinking lots of water and taking breaks between flights. Take the two weeks before scheduled to leave and gradually set the bedtime and wake-up time back 10 or 15 minutes each day. 8 tips to get over it Jet lag is a very common occurrence, and there are several ways you can try to make the transition to a new time zone more quickly and with fewer symptoms. I recently discovered that maxi dresses are wonderful to travel in. I see some ladies that pull off cute strappy sandals, but that sounds chilly, so I personally dont do that. 10-20 minutes are perfect. So can someone please remind me, what is jet lag? Take Jet Lag Supplements 6. Get your heart rate up and get some sun exposure. If you're sensitive to coffee or caffeine, don't drink it after noon each day. JK, hopefully you can enjoy on the other side! Probably still not quite 100% though. I have found this extremely helpful when flying to Europe or anywhere for that matter. What solutions are there for the, becoming more frequent, lets all go to sleep westbound on a morning flight? Why Daytime Flights to Europe May Help Fight Jet Lag Because 2PM on the East Coast is 7-8 PM in most of Europe, that is when I will have my last meal of the day. How to Prevent Jet Lag - Scientific American His adventures take him all over the globe, often spanning over 200,000 miles a year and his travel exploits are regularly Discover international travel tips, family friendly vacations; trip planning recommendations for travel destinations near or far. Circadian Disruption Reveals a Correlation of an Oxidative GSH/GSSG Redox Shift with Learning and Impaired Memory in an Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Modelhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26484899/6. How To Beat Jet Lag Going To Europe - Europe Jet Lag Tipshttps://www.godsavethepoints.com/east-coast-to-europe-jet-lag-tips/. Caffeine has been shown to mess with your sleep cycle if consumed too close to bedtime. Studies have shown that taking melatonin supplements before and during a flight can reduce the effects of jet lag. Departure from origin Arrival time at destination 1 Go to bed early in the days leading up to your flight. Of course, a comfy airline seat or a modern plane, like an Airbus A350 or Boeing 787 Dreamliner will make quite a bit of difference too, but ultimately the circadian rhythms of your body, which are often largely dictated by your metabolism will play the biggest factor. Brilliant Guide To British Airways Upgrades Using Avios Or Cash, My (Successful) Virgin Atlantic Upgrade Strategy. Melatonin has been shown to reduce jetlag in studies as well. You will almost definitely get bumped into by people walking up and down the aisle. How To Avoid Jetlag To Europe And Other Long Flights - Dave's Travel Pages Also helps to have a mental night the day before you fly home. Avoid alcohol, sugary drinks and energy drinks, all of which can create more disruptions as you adjust to a new time zone. Traveling To Europe And Beyond? Prepare For Jet Lag - WABE 9 Tips How To Beat Jet Lag Going To Europe - Zaca Michelle Hogan is a writer and the author of 13 books including the 2005 bestselling memoir, "Without a Net: Middle Class and Homeless (With Kids) in America." Youll be able to make a more informed choice! Jet lag, also called jet lag disorder, is a temporary sleep problem that can affect anyone who quickly travels across several time zones. A sick passenger aside, I cant think of anything more disgusting than seeing someones bare feet on a plane. Symptoms of jet lag include fatigue, difficulty concentrating, headaches, and insomnia. They have been proven by the medical community and fellow travelers as well to help your body adjust as quickly as possible to your destination time zone. As soon as I arrive a the gate, I set my clocks to the local destination time. If you decide to buy items through these links, you will be helping Dave to fund this site and perhaps the next adventure. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. { Eating smaller meals before you go and bringing snacks for the plane ride can help keep your stomach feeling good. They may help you sleep but arent able to help change your bodys circadian rhythm or internal clock. It "depends upon how much time you have and your purpose for flying," said Dr. Albert Boquet, professor of human factors and systems at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. Marty, indeed! When you fly across several time zones you will suffer to some degree from desynchronosis, more commonly known as jet lag. If you land at 11, wait until 12 and have what youd typically have for lunch. Needless to say, we fly to Europe a lot. Upon arriving at my hotel, I searched for a coffee maker and discovered an electric tea kettle. Not a great combination. Take it in the morning to set your internal clock to a later time and in the evening to set it to an earlier time. It's how your body knows to produce hormones and when to sleep. "name": "How long until jet lag goes away? The on-the-go snacks were great for my layover time and on the train. With the hunger monster defeated, I could settle into my room. ", I do not take the evening flight meal offered (often receiving strange looks from the flight attendants). Stretch the arms forward and roll the wrists around. Exercise Daily 9. I try to schedule my flight departure time from the US (to the UK and Europe) in the evening. From sun exposure and hydration to jet lag supplements and schedule shifts --- we've complied our research to give you a complete guide on how to beat jet lag going to Europe. Using your flight itinerary, you can now manage jet lag with this interactive calculator. Jet lag is not about luck, and in fact theres no mystery its your bodys clocks being thrown out of whack, and your eyes, stomach and brain having no clue how to cope, or when to rest. However, Ive sat in both the window and the aisle seat on long haul and short-haul flights, and the aisle seat has definitely become my favorite. "text": "Typically, jet lag dissipates within a day or two of your arrival at the destination. Then I get through security and stop somewhere to fill it up again. Published on 18 Jan 2018 Traveling through multiple time zones to Europe can confuse the body to the point of feeling tired and unable to concentrate. @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-officeescapeartist_com-leader-4-0-asloaded{max-width:320px!important;max-height:50px!important;}}if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'officeescapeartist_com-leader-4','ezslot_19',133,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-officeescapeartist_com-leader-4-0');Besides drinking water, I think this is the most important tip. As alluring as an airport beer or nightcap may be, your best bet for beating jet lag is to avoid alcohol early in your trip. I like to pack something that can be thrown in a bag and is satisfying and filling. Take off your shoes while sitting. If youre concerned about bobbing your head on someone, I recommend this travel pillow. Once youre on the plane, you should plan to finish off the water bottle at least twice for a transatlantic flight. Put your eyeshades on if you want to sleep, dont ask me to live in the dark. Third, napping against the window is so uncomfortable. Things get tougher when you're heading eastward. Doing this and then making yourself wake up at a reasonable time on your first day will help you get over jet lag much more quickly! Drink this water and any other liquid the flight attendants offer you. Insights And Fun Facts, Bicycle Touring Electronic Gear For Iceland. I thought that jet lag was just something every traveler had to deal with. Some people say that jet lag does not happen on north-south flights that do not cross multiple time zones. 4. What Causes Jet Lag? "acceptedAnswer": { Make sure your sleeping environment is as comfortable as possible. This shouldn't really come as news, but it's amazing how easy it is to forget something like this when you're caught up in the excitement of traveling. Flying eastward causes worse jet lag because it advances your body clock (earlier sunset), while flying westward delays your body clock (later sunset). Strange. Adjust your schedule to the new time zone as soon as possible. Instead, opt for smaller meals at regular intervals. If you land at 7AM, have what youd typically have for breakfast at 7AM. Business passengers who can not afford to take a working day out of their often tight and busy schedules would be as well to take a Saturday or Sunday daytime flight. One of the most substantial things you can do to counter jet lag is hydrate yourself, so foods like cucumbers, celery, strawberries and watermelon are great for their water content. If you have the ability, to make up for the days that jet lag takes from you at the beginning and the end of your vacation, plan a couple of extra days into your itinerary so you dont overbook yourself or get stressed and grumpy. }, { Also, I prefer to wear closed -toed shoes with socks. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. 3 make sure your flights are booked so that you land towards the evening. One common homeopathic remedy is the no-jet-lag. By fasting overnight, youre tricking the body into believing that its kind of had a nights rest, after dinner (even though it was more like lunch time in the USA). They hold 17 oz of liquid, are spill-proof, and keep my drinks cold for 12 or more hours But lets be honest, youre not drinking enough water if you need it to stay cool that long! Prepare For Jet Lag - WABE Traveling To Europe And Beyond? My practice flying internationally (and domestic too) is to limit my food intake prior to the flight. In addition to following the suggestions here, if you feel that you have unique circumstances that warrant a trip to your doctor, please make an appointment with them and discuss your concerns. } More by Gilbert Ott, Those are great tips. Moving your bedtime forward or backward by a few hours in the days before you fly has a similar effect to splitting your trip and can really help you fight jet lag. If you're planning a European trip, read our complete guide below for tips onhow to beat jet lag going to Europe. The bigger the time difference, the larger the impact on your body. Buying water at the airport isn't cheap, but it's worth it. A US - Europe Jet Lag Routine That Works Well! - God Save The Points Is jet lag worse after traveling east than west?https://www.statnews.com/2016/07/21/jet-lag-worse-east-west/3. It is suprising what the mind can accomplish. Plus, youll get all those lovely bathroom smells and the relentless sound of doors shutting and toilets flushing pass. Wear loose and comfortable clothing. Traveling through multiple time zones to Europe can confuse the body to the point of feeling tired and unable to concentrate.