Are you traveling to a faraway country? While going to a new place for your vacation is certainly exciting, one thing you may need to be wary about is jet lag. Jet lag is when your internal sleeping clock is out of sync with the time zone you’re currently in. It occurs when you travel somewhere with a large time difference compared to your previous location. The larger the time difference, the more likely you will experience jet lag.
Jet lag isn’t serious and will go away once you’ve adjusted your body clock to the new time zone. However, it may make the first few days of your vacation harder. After all, it’s much more challenging to enjoy your plans if your body clock is telling you that it’s past your bedtime. However, there are ways to better cope with jet lag so that you can recover quickly and enjoy the rest of your vacation with ease. Here are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind.
Block out any light before going to sleep.
Your internal body clock pays attention to light and darkness when telling you to sleep or stay up. One way to help it adjust to your new time zone is by blocking out any light before you go to sleep. Bring a good sleeping mask with you so that you can block out the light anywhere, whether it’s in a plane or your hotel room. Many hotel rooms also use blackout curtains that offer total darkness, so take full advantage of them when it’s time to go to bed.
Go out during the daytime.
In the same vein, don’t shy away from light during the day! Surrounding yourself with light will inform your body clock that it’s daytime, which will help you stay awake. Leave the hotel room to bask in the sun, even if it’s just to eat somewhere. If you feel too tired to leave your room, open up your curtains and stay away from the bed, as it might lead to a poorly timed nap.
Make your sleeping area comfortable.
It’s important to make sure that your sleeping area is comfortable and conducive to a good night’s sleep. There are plenty of ways for you to achieve this. You can bring your own blankets and pillow to make the room feel more like home. You can also make use of some other tools, such as white noise or earplugs.
Keep your first day free.
Jet lag is difficult to avoid completely, even if you follow all of the tips and tricks here. Don’t risk wasting your vacation plans by putting them all on the first day. There’s a chance that your jet lag will be so difficult to cope with that you’re rendered unable to do anything on the first day. Allow yourself the chance to rest and recover by keeping your first day with little to no plans.
Get a massage at night.
If you’re still struggling to sleep at night, consider booking a massage. Massage has been proven to help you fall asleep faster and improve overall sleep quality. By booking one for your hotel room at night, you can go to bed as soon as your appointment is over. Many hotels have inhouse massage therapists, but they’re often expensive. Instead, consider booking an appointment with a home service massage spa, such as Massagedaily.ph, which offers the same services for a much cheaper price.
With these tips, you’ll get over your jet lag in no time, leaving the rest of your vacation free for you to enjoy.