Tips to avoiding jet lag

JET LAG can wreak havoc on the body’s internal clock but there are ways to avoid it.

Try gradually shifting sleeping and eating times at least four days before departure to make them coincide with those of the final destination. This should slowly adjust the body’s internal clock.

Avoid overeating and caffeine at least 12 hours before the flight. While it is true that caffeine can help people stay awake longer, it also makes them wake up more than once thus reducing their total sleep time.

Doctors recommend staying hydrated, so it is probably a good idea to drink at least eight ounces of water for every hour of flight.

It is also advisable to keep a bottle of moisturising lotion and lip balm in the carry-on.

There is nothing better to avoid jet lag than to sleep on the plane, especially when travelling overnight or flying west to east. The more the body is rested, the easier it will be for it to deal with the stress of jet lag.

Be careful with sleeping pills. Yes, a pill may be helpful on an overnight flight but an incorrectly timed dosage may result in grogginess after landing.

Furthermore, a plane is certainly not the place to try out a pill for the first time, so flyers should only take medications they are already familiar with.