What to Do About Jet Lag?
The Best Tips & Tricks for Long-Haul Flyers
As if a long, exhausting flight from one continent to another wasn't enough, there's also the time change to contend with. Yes, many of us are familiar with the typical symptoms of what is known as jet lag: fatigue, insomnia, lack of concentration, or mood swings. Here, you will learn how to combat such jet lag.
Have you ever experienced jet lag? It's said that the body's internal biorhythm shifts and that depending on age and condition, one should expect an adjustment period of about half a day to a whole day for each time zone crossed. It doesn't matter whether you're heading to vacation or back home from vacation - jet lag is always a hassle. I already presented the best tips for long-haul flights in my travel magazine. Now, it's time to deal with the well-known phenomenon of jet lag, which frequent travelers among us regularly struggle with. It is clear that jet lag cannot be eliminated in an instant, but with some tips and tricks, the typical symptoms can definitely be alleviated - I have tested some of them myself. And of course, I don't want to withhold what Viagra has to do with jet lag from you.
Tips Against Jet Lag - What to Do?
Traveling East and West | Helpful Tips | Viagra and Co.
Traveling West or East?
The first important thing is where your distant travel destination is, as the typical jet lag symptoms can vary depending on the flight direction. For example, if you fly from New York to New York, your body will find it easier to adapt to the new rhythm. Once in the Big Apple, it might be 4 PM there, while it is already 10 PM back home. So, traveling west gives you a little more time. Here, you need to hold out as best as you can and stay awake in order to fall asleep quickly in the evening and, most importantly, sleep well through the night.
On the other hand, if you're traveling East, for instance to Tokyo, you will face much greater difficulty, as the day becomes shorter and essentially you lose time. Thus, it's not surprising that it's harder to adjust to a new rhythm in Asia than when traveling to the USA. Your body is simply transported to a different time zone, but the internal rhythms continue as usual initially.
Helpful Tips for Jet Lag
To make your next long-distance trip as enjoyable as possible, I would like to offer you some valuable tips. This way, you can fully enjoy your time on-site - or use it wisely, if you're traveling for business rather than pleasure.
- Adjust your watch - a simple yet helpful tip: Set your watch to the local time of your destination while still on the plane, so you can mentally prepare for the new time. Once you arrive, you mustn't constantly think about what time it is back home, as much of it is also in your head and isn't very beneficial for adjusting to the time change.
- Adjust meal times to the destination: Once you are in the new time zone and have already adjusted your watch, try to get used to the new meal times as well. If your stomach growls at the usual meal times, try to have just a light snack. The right meals should then align with the typical meal times of the destination country as much as possible.
- Carbohydrates or protein - depending on the destination: It's also important to choose your foods wisely when coping with jet lag. Generally, it's advised to eat a carbohydrate-rich diet (fruits, potatoes, pasta, rice) when traveling East because these can make you feel tired more quickly. If traveling West, however, a protein-rich diet (fish, cheese, meat, eggs, dairy products) is recommended along with the consumption of caffeinated beverages, as these help combat the natural need for sleep. While drinking a lot of water doesn't alleviate jet lag, it does support the body's adjustment reactions. In terms of alcohol, however, it has the opposite effect, so it's better to avoid it!
- Get plenty of sunlight and fresh air: If you feel some drowsiness due to the time change during the day and would prefer to just lie down, instead of taking a nap - which I know can be quite tempting - it's better to soak up as much sun as possible and spend a lot of time outdoors. Sunlight can actually inhibit the sleep hormone melatonin, which makes us feel sleepy in the evening. It's best to go to bed only when the sun sets.
- Medications: A very important topic is also the medications you may need to take regularly. It's advisable to consult with your doctor or pharmacist beforehand to adapt your medication to the current time zone and avoid possible unwanted symptoms. As for sleeping pills, I would advise against them, as they promote sleep but do not impact the adjustment of bodily functions, and therefore only have a temporary positive effect.
- Important for business travelers - schedule meetings at the right time: If you find yourself in the destination for only a short time due to a business appointment, it's recommended to plan important meetings at a time when you feel most alert. In other words: In destinations to the West, it's best to schedule meetings in the morning, and for destinations to the East, it's better to plan them later in the day.
- Postponing strenuous activities to the next days: Once you arrive at your vacation destination, you might want to jump right in and experience as much as possible. However, if you're staying for a few days, it's better to postpone demanding activities by a day or two, as they could unnecessarily strain your already weakened traveling body and perhaps even prolong the adjustment period. So, if possible, take it easy at first!
Viagra as a Remedy for Jet Lag?
You often hear it here and there: The potency drug Viagra is said to actually combat the symptoms of jet lag. Yes, just like you're looking now, I was surprised too. And no, I haven't tried it. But what is this rumor based on? It's likely that we all know what the purpose of this medication is. However, what is still unproven and thus very controversial is the claim that Viagra, with its active ingredient Sildenafil, also helps against jet lag. So far, it has sadly only been tested on hamsters. Whether the results can be transferred to humans and a natural jet lag is still unclear. Therefore, I would advise you to simply steer clear of it.
The same goes for the melatonin supplement that is sold in the USA as a dietary supplement and is available at nearly every supermarket. This drug can interfere with the hormone balance and is actually prescription-only in Germany. So again, it's better to stay away from it.
What Are Your Experiences with Jet Lag?
I hope some of these tips help you during your next trip across different time zones. Do you have any additional tips that could help with jet lag? If so, feel free to share, as I welcome all your comments!
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