How many times have you counted down the days before your much-anticipated foreign holiday, only to arrive with severe jet lag that takes nearly two three days to recover from? The local food appears to be delicious, but you’re not hungry. Concentration is difficult, and the coordination is skewed. You’re tired, irritable, and simply don’t feel well. When you try to sleep at night, you are unable to do so. You’re still struggling to remain alert throughout the day. You’re all too familiar with this scenario, aren’t you?
Travelling is thrilling – you want to see new places and do it all the time – but the jet lag that comes with it takes away half of the fun. In the year 2020, a new trend emerged that does not have this downside: virtual travel. When the world was in isolation, virtual tours came as a saviour and provided the much-needed escape for all. People are looking forward to being able to travel in person now that the world is gradually opening its doors again, but what can we do about jet lag?
When your body’s natural clock, or circadian rhythm, is interrupted by travelling to a different time zone, you experience jet lag. It may be temporary, but it can disrupt your day in a variety of ways. It can result in the following:
- Exhaustion
- Fatigue
- Grogginess
- Stomach discomfort
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Excessive sleepiness
- Insomnia
- Disorientation
The good news is that jet lag can easily be avoided, allowing you to fully enjoy your vacation. This is how you can do it!
- Schedule the First Few Days of Your Vacation
Make sure you get enough sleep and stick to your light exposure schedule. Make allowances for slowdowns in your schedule, and if at all necessary, arrive days ahead of time in case you have a crucial meeting or event to allow for acclimatisation.
- Limit Alcohol and Caffeine Intake Before and During Your Flight
Drinking alcohol or caffeine during or before a flight, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), can exacerbate symptoms. For starters, both of these may contribute to dehydration. The air inside an aeroplane cabin is dryer than the air on the ground, which can intensify symptoms. Alcohol causes a rise in the need to urinate, which may cause sleep disturbances. Additionally, although alcohol will help you fall asleep, the quality of your sleep can suffer as a result. Furthermore, the symptoms of jet lag and travel exhaustion may be aggravated by the effects of a hangover. Caffeine can also make it difficult to sleep. When flying, it is best to drink plenty of water.
- Put on Comfortable Clothing and Footwear
On a long journey, how you feel takes precedence over how you appear. Wear clothing and shoes that are easy to walk in. Pinching, restricting, or chafing objects should be avoided. Bear in mind the weather in your destination time zone when choosing your travel outfit. Dress appropriately for your destination.
- Adhere to the Local Clock
Your body will respond more quickly if you adapt to the local schedule as soon as possible. If you arrive at noon local time (but 6:00 a.m. your time), for example, eat lunch rather than breakfast. Take walks or sit outside in outdoor cafés throughout the day to expose the body to sunlight. The sun will signal your hypothalamus to reduce the output of sleep-inducing melatonin throughout the day, kicking off the process of internal clock resetting.
- Sleep as Much as Possible Throughout Your Flight
Ideally, you’d want to wake up when your plane lands at your destination in the morning. You can take a sleep aid if you need to. However, once you’ve arrived, don’t depend on one. Remain active if you are unable to sleep on the plane. Stretch your arms and legs on a regular basis by walking about and stretching them.
- In the Days Following Your Arrival, Limit Your Napping
Taking a brief nap will help you stay awake throughout the day if you need to. Napping for more than 30 minutes, on the other hand, will keep you awake at night. Try to stay up until your regular bedtime and get up on time the next day. It will take the body several days to adapt to the new time zone. Adjusting your food, work, and sleep schedules as soon as possible will help speed up the process. Allow yourself enough time to adapt to your new schedule, and you’ll still be able to enjoy your vacation.
If you want to completely avoid jet lag (which is difficult to avoid while travelling in person), virtual travel tours are an option. They’re safe, easy, and convenient, and the best part is that there’s no risk of jet lag. You can travel virtually to any location you want from the comfort of your own home, and Proxgy is the most convenient way to do so.
With the aid of smart helmets and 360-degree camera technology, Proxgy is a mobile app that can help you discover any destination you want to visit. You can be everywhere with the Proxgy user app by your side, checking out new destinations, experiencing new sights and sounds, learning about new cultures, and exploring a new city like never before.
Once you’ve booked your Proxgy, your virtual avatar will lead you through the process at your own speed, in real-time. So, use Proxgy for Travel and avoid facing jet lag!
