When I was 14 years old I experienced my first Jetlag. We flew out to New York and it was my first time leaving the European continent. One week later we flew further to Los Angeles and my sleep rhythm was a total mess. Ever since I struggle with these different time zones. I personally tried to stay awake until its night time in the country I was staying but it´s easier said than done...
There is nothing worse about a vacation than stepping out of the plane and feel exhausted or coming home from a fantastic journey and going back to sleep instead of showing off your vacation glow. I have determined that many of the Steemians are travelers by heart and are flying around the globe more often than "normal" people. Jetlag is such a big problem when you hop out of the plane and need to catch some meeting right after. The schedule is sometimes very busy that we dont have enough time to sleep at times we would like to take a rest in order to get into the new time zone. But I have figured out some great tips and tricks to get over this bad feeling.Â
If you are are interested, just keep reading
Go Grab A JuiceÂ
Grab yourself a 100% natural juice. It will hydrate your body plus its nutrients might boost your immune system too which would be a double win!
Get some Vitamin B and CÂ
Vitamin B-12 helps the body to be energized and vitamin D keeps sleep-promoting melatonin levels in check! You can find a great amount of vitamin B vitamins in fish. So I would recommend eating some fish and catching some sun rays in order to get some vitamin D ( wearing SPF! ).
Avoid Caffeine And Alcohol
This is a must when you want to get rid of the annoying Jetlag. Caffeine and alcohol arent the best way to stay awake. They are both stimulants, they also contribute dehydration which will exacerbate your Jetlag. Try to avoid the espresso and vodka before your body´s clock has reset.
Take MelatoninÂ
Melatonin, also known as N-acetyl-5-methoxy tryptamine, is a hormone that is produced by the pineal gland in animals and regulates sleep and wakefulness.
You can also find melatonin in supplements and taking these before you go to bed in your current timezone can help your sleep/wake cycle synchronize with your new location! I am normally not into taking supplements and I havent tried out melatonin yet but I read great articles about it and I think it is worth a try.
Stretch!
Yoga is known to relieve stress and boost your energy. I will put some Yoga poses below that will guide you so you can use it as a pre- and -post-flight activity. Do not worry if some poses do not work for you. Stretching takes time and you can see any results after a few weeks. ( I will write a whole article about it trying out different Yoga poses soon! )Â
You can also find some cool pre-flight stretches right -> here
Find The Light
You want to reset your circadian rhythm! First you need to increase your exposure to natural light. Natural really gives you a lot of energy and this is exactly what you need if you feel the Jetlag. Morning sunshine is the best source of natural light so make sure to be awake when the sun rises!
HydrateÂ
I have already mentioned drinking juices but your body needs a boost of H2O so always take a bottle of water with you. Drink water before- , during- and after the flight!
Sleep On The Plane
I know that not everybody is made for sleeping on a plane. But it will definitely help you to gain some energy. If you have any problems to fall asleep I really recommend lavender oil.Â
Rub 2-3 drops of lavender oil in your cupped palms, then use the inhalation method to draw the scent all the way into your amygdala gland (the emotional warehouse) in your brain to calm the mind. Then, rub on the feet, temples, wrists (or anywhere) for an immediate calming effect on the body.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your body is the only suit you have in this life so treat it right to get the best results possible. I do not talk about the look. Health is so important and you shouldnt mess with it.
I would definitely love to hear some feedbacks from you when you have used some of those tips while traveling to another timezone. I will definitely take you with me on my next trip and these tricks will be definitely essentials.Â
Enjoy the night 🌙
Love, SoldierÂ