The Best Ways to Avoid Jetlag when You Visit Europe

I have travelled a lot over the years and flown back and forth across the Atlantic more times than I care to remember. So I am speaking from experience when I say that jet lag is a reality. But it can be avoided! It is a side effect of travel and it can really ruin the first few days of a trip if you do not take steps to remedy the situation early on.

So if you are flying out of America for the first time, make sure you are well prepared for your trip and know what is ahead of you. For example, flights into Europe will be hard to cope with for the first time because they can range anywhere from 7-12 hours or more depending on where you are flying from, just to the UK. If you will be going further east, say into Greece, then add on another two hours. If you have layovers then you will have even more of a long journey as you disembark and catch your next flight. As a result of layovers and delays I would sometimes go for 36 hours or more with no sleep when I first started out on my transatlantic trips. Here are some suggestions that you may find useful to avoid that happening to you too.

1. Sleep before you leave

Make sure that you get as much rest as possible prior to your flight. I don't just mean the usual 7-8 hours. I mean proper, restorative sleep and naps in between, if necessary. The key is to really make sure you are well rested and alert before you board your first plane. Avoid the temptation to pack at the last minute. This will only add to your stress levels. It will be hard to sleep with so much on your mind. By the time you leave home you will already be tired. So get to bed early, get as much sleep as possible and the day or so before you fly out, start to adjust your body clock to the local time, if possible, by sleeping and getting up at the local time at your final destination. Of course, this will not always be possible. Just do what you can.

2. Sleep on the plane

This is not an easy thing to do! When all you can hear is the engines and the noise from crying babies and other passengers, sleep can elude you. But try to get the needed rest, even if you only shut your eyes for a little while.

3. Stay hydrated

Make sure that you stay hydrated while you are on the plane. Avoid alcohol and limit drinks that contain caffeine. Drink as much water as you can. Water will really refresh you and help you cope more easily with any jet lag you may experience.

4. Walk around

Sitting still in one position on the plane will not do you much good, so get up a few times during the flight and walk around. Stretch your legs while you can. This will help you overcome stiff joints and you will feel better for it.

5. Dealing with the time difference

Set your watch forward before your plane touches down. When you reach your destination in Europe you will be gaining time, 5 hours if you are from the east flying into the UK, up to 7 hours if you travel to the most eastern part of Europe, which is Cyprus. So your body is likely to still be functioning according to your local time and want to sleep rather than explore your daytime surroundings. It is tempting to want to crash out at the hotel and sleep for the next 8 hours. But to really help overcome any jet lag you may have, it is best to avoid this. If you are so exhausted that you must rest, then do so, but only briefly. Take a brief nap and then get up and stay up until the evening. Even if you can only make it to 8:00pm, it is better than nothing! When you go to sleep, try to get up at the local morning time. That will help you get into a pattern quickly.

6. Returning home

You will be pleased to learn that it is usually much easier flying from Europe to America, because you are gaining time, rather than losing it. So you are more likely to arrive home later in the day or evening. If it is in the evening, you will be able to go to bed and sleep off the jet lag more easily. Try to prepare your body for jet lag. You will be glad you did. It can take days or weeks to overcome jet lag and that is even if you have taken steps to prepare for it. Try not to let jet lag ruin your trip and remember to enjoy yourself!