How to Overcome Jetlag

Described as one of the worst side effects of travel, enduring jetlag has become part and parcel of venturing abroad since air travel was invented. The term which refers to the discomfort one feels upon landing after a flight makes the beginning and the end of a holiday a dreaded experience. Fatigue, disorientation and nausea are associated with this condition affecting a majority of travellers regardless of age and fitness. Here are some tips on how to beat the jetlag after your next flight.

1. Prepare Adequately

Those who are prone to experience jetlag should prepare to deal with it before stepping on the plane. Travellers can get proactive about this by adjusting the body's rhythm a few days before the departure date. Tourists who are flying west will find that their bodies behave as if the day is getting longer whereas those heading in the opposite direction will find the bodies reacting as if the day is shorter. Travellers who are heading to destinations to the west should stay awake an additional two hours after their usual bedtime to get their body used to what's to come while that travelling east must go to sleep two hours earlier than normal. Booking flights with night time arrival times are also better for beating jetlag as arriving in a country in the morning hours will confuse the body's natural clock. Afternoon arrival is deemed best as one can stay awake for a few hours after arrival and then go to bed and start anew the next day.

2. Set your watch

Don't wait till you arrive at the intended destination to change the time on your phone or your watch. It is important to mentally prepare for the transition by setting the clocks as soon as you board the plane. This will help train the mind to think in terms of the new time zone and help one stay awake or get rest accordingly. How we mentally perceive time has a big impact on how our bodies react so help your mind adjust by synchronizing the timepieces to the new time zone.

3. Converting the Sleep-Wake-Rhythm

Some travellers like to sleep on the plane but others find it impossible to do so but adjusting the sleeping and waking patterns of your body during the flight can help reduce jetlag. Those flying west should ideally sleep on the flight while those flying east should try to stay awake. Dimming the overhead cabin lights, using earplugs, asking for a blanket and cushions and watching the in-flight movies on offer can help your body stay awake or go to sleep according to your requirements. Those who wish to nap during the flight can ask the air hostesses if any empty rows are available in the flight so you can stretch out over several seats while inquiring about the in-flight entertainment options can make staying awake a lot easier.

4. Take Melatonin

Although the use of medication and supplements to combat jetlag is not recommended, Melatonin is a substance that is known to alleviate the discomfort of jetlag faster. As a natural hormone, the supplement is relatively harmless when compared to other over-the-counter medications. The hormone works by making the body go to sleep so as to give it the rest it needs to recuperate and readjust to a new time zone. This is especially effective for those who experience insomnia for days after a long-haul flight.

5. Hydration

Whether it is during the holiday at a hotel such as the Anantara Angkor Resort or when sitting down to dinner at a Siem Reap dining hotspot, drinking plenty of liquids is always a good idea. Hydration is crucial to your health and to help your body deal with the time zone changes it must adjust to after a flight. Refrain from using alcohol, carbonated sodas and other beverages every time you are thirsty on the flight or at your hotel, and choose juices and mineral water instead.