Things You Should Do Before and when Doing a Long Trip

On any trans-continental flight, chances are you will suffer from some sort of fatigue, but you want to arrive at your destination fresh and fully charged. Sometimes, however, that's not the case. The cause of jetlag is a disruption to your circadian rhythm. In other words, this means that crossing time zones leaves you out of sync, which could lead to craving dinner at 3 a.m. or dozing off in a mid-afternoon meeting. But there are a few ways of reducing the effects of flying around the globe.

Preparation

Most travelers only think about the time zone of their immediate destination when resetting their TAG Heuer upon arrival, but if you plan ahead, you can lessen the impact. A few days prior to departure, change the time on your mobile phone to correspond with the time of your next destination. Even going to bed an hour earlier or later (depending on which direction you are traveling, of course) each day for three days prior will make a real difference. If this is impossible, then reset your time on your phone as soon as you board the plane.

Entertainment

Depending on whether or not you find it easy to sleep on planes, it's certainly best to plan your flight activities during a long journey. If you are one of those people that can fall asleep anywhere, anytime (including airplanes), it may be advisable to book a flight that is cruising at 35,000 feet during your destination's wee hours. Of course, there are distractions during the flight, and sometimes you may end up chatting with an intriguing fellow seated next to you. With all the in-flight entertainment features available on most international flight nowadays, it's also wise to take a day-time flight and get your sleep upon arrival.

Sugar rush

Choose a light option from the dining menu, unless you are trying to get some sleep. A carbohydrate-filled meal, accompanied by several glasses of water will probably send you into a deep slumber. Otherwise, try to stick to a vegetarian dish or nibble on light snacks throughout the flight. This will lighten the stress flights generally put on your body. But stay away from foods containing high sugar content.

Hydration

A lot of symptoms of jetlag are not related to the disruption of your body clock, but are consequences of flying itself. The oxygen in an aircraft can leave your body severely dehydrated worsening the impact of jetlag. To help you relax on the plane, try dabbing a few drops of lavender oil onto your pillow or blanket. Try not to use sleeping pills during a long flight, especially if you are flying in economy class, because sometimes cramped quarters can increase the risk of blood clots and will leave you drowsy upon landing. To keep hydrated, you need to drink about 250 milliliters of water per hour (or 1 liter every four hours) of flight time. Try and stay away from tea, coffee and alcohol, as these drinks dehydrate the body even further. It's important to remember that one alcoholic drink in the air is the equivalent to two at sea level, and you will really start to feel the effects after the plane lands.

Light sweat

If you need to stay awake during the flight, do a bit of exercise before take-off and try to do some more at cruising altitude. If you are arriving in the morning and need to be fit for the day, try to squeeze in a quick run or visit to the gym before any important meetings. This will give your body a much-needed boost of energy. Some travelers even swear by taking melatonin supplements. Melatonin is a natural hormone produce by the body during daylight hours, melatonin levels are low and you feel alert. Supplements are on the market, but the side-effects are not proven.

Let the sun shine in

Natural daylight has a huge impact on our body's clock. If you need to be awake of your destination, but still crave sleep, try sitting in sunlight for 15 minutes. This will let your natural melatonin levels decrease, giving your body the idea that it's time to rise and shine.

After a long flight it has been proven that a massage helps the body get over the ill-effects of flying. As well as reducing jetlag. A massage dehydrates the body and relaxes you at the same time. Ask for either a soothing or a revitalizing treatment depending on the time of day and the length of your journey. The easiest way to avoid jetlag is by flying either First or Business Class. Comfortable seats and a relaxing atmosphere to rest will help the long hours pass. Check your frequent-flyer miles or politely ask if you can get an upgrade and sit back, relax and enjoy the flight.