Jet lag is a common issue that can be a major challenge for vacationers, especially those who are traveling to new destinations. However, it is a short-term problem that can be managed by changing your sleeping, eating, and waking schedules to your new surroundings as quickly as possible. To combat jet lag symptoms, set alarms, get outside in daylight, and adjust your body clock.
To overcome jet lag before your cruise, follow these steps:
1. Set your clocks early, adjust your body, try melatonin, and go easy on alcohol.
2. Avoid heavy meals and caffeine, stay hydrated, avoid alcohol, embrace the light, and consider melatonin supplements.
3. Book your flight thoughtfully, choosing a time based on jet lag concerns.
4. Sleep well the night before your flight.
5. Be prepared by starting the transition before you even set foot on the ship. Force yourself to be out during the day and enjoy the sun as much as possible on the first day.
By following these steps, you can help reduce the effects of jet lag and enjoy your time off more effectively. Remember to be mindful of your food choices and plan your trip accordingly.
In summary, adjusting to new time zones is a crucial aspect of a successful cruise experience. By following these steps, you can minimize the effects of jet lag and enjoy your time off more effectively.
📹 Ways to Get Over Jet Lag After a Long-Haul Flight
These are the best ways to get over jet lag during and after a long-haul flight. I will teach you how to prevent jet lag, how to help …
Why do I feel so bad after a cruise?
Mal de debarquement syndrome is quite uncommon, but its effects can reach beyond those returning from cruise ships.
Those who take long trips in airplanes, trains and cars may also notice the persistent sensation of motion afterwards. Doctors have even seen the condition in some people after an active day at an amusement park or a night sleeping on a waterbed.
What to do if this feeling persists. You should feel back to normal a few days after your cruise. If not, talk to your doctor, Dr. Honaker says.
Your doctor likely will review your medical history, look for other symptoms and make sure there’s no other illness causing your discomfort.
How long does a jet belly last?
Yes, I’m talking about the joys of the post-flight bloat: a swollen, often painful belly, an upset stomach, excess gas or general, ahem, digestive issues, which can last anything from a day to your entire trip. It’s not the most fun way to start a holiday.
So, what’s the solution? Well, it turns out that flying makes us more prone to bloating. Gas is a natural byproduct of digestion, caused by swallowing air as we eat and other processes in the body. However, the pressure in the cabin caused by being at such a high altitude makes any air trapped in your gut expand, which causes you to feel bloated after a flight.
So unless you plan to avoid flying altogether, then you’ll have to find another way to ease that painful bloat. “Fear not, there are tactics to reduce and manage this post-plane bloating,” says nutritionist Sophie Trotman.
How to get rid of cruise lag?
Give melatonin a go. If you really struggle to get your 40 winks in a new country, then melatonin is worth trying since it regulates your body’s circadian rhythm and lets it know it’s time to sleep. … Avoid alcohol. … Get some exercise.
One of the downsides – maybe even the downside – of travelling halfway across the world is the dazed, irritable, and downright exhausted feeling that comes after a long flight. Yep, jet lag can be a real blight on the start of your holiday, especially when all you want to do is get on with having a great time.
Thankfully, you don’t have to spend the first few days of your hol curled up in a grumpy, sleep-deprived ball in your cabin. Jet lag can easily be reduced. With a few hints and hacks, we’ll show you how you can start your holiday feeling refreshed, energised and ready to have the time of your life.
Bear with us while we get a bit science-y for a sec, but we think it’s worth knowing what jet lag is and why it happens.
Can jet lag last for 2 weeks?
People with jet lag experience one or more of the symptoms listed above. Symptoms can begin immediately or set in a few days after arrival. Many people sleep well the first night after a flight due to fatigue only to encounter sleep problems in the following days.
Jet lag lasts anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. In general, symptoms persist for 1-1.5 days per time zone crossed, but the duration of symptoms varies depending on the person and their trip details.
Can Jet Lag Have Long-Term Consequences?. Jet lag is usually a short-term problem that goes away once the body’s circadian rhythm has adjusted to the local time. For people who frequently take long-distance flights, such as pilots, flight attendants, and business travelers, jet lag can become a chronic problem.
A chronically out-of-sync circadian rhythm can create persistent sleep problems that may give rise to insomnia. A healthy internal clock is important for the overall health of the body, therefore chronic circadian rhythm disruption may raise the risk of disorders like diabetes and depression as well as some types of cancer.
What are 5 symptoms of jet lag?
Jet lag symptoms may include:Sleep problems such as not being able to fall asleep or waking up early.Daytime fatigue.Not being able to focus or function at your usual level.Stomach problems such as constipation or diarrhea.A general feeling of not being well.Mood changes.
Jet lag, also called jet lag disorder, is a temporary sleep problem that can affect anyone who quickly travels across several time zones.
Your body has its own internal clock, called circadian rhythms. They signal to your body when to stay awake and when to sleep.
Jet lag occurs because your body’s internal clock is synced to your original time zone. It hasn’t changed to the time zone of where you’ve traveled. The more time zones crossed, the more likely you are to experience jet lag.
How long does it take to feel better after a cruise?
Whether riding in a car or traveling on a train or boat, you encounter passive motion on a daily basis. For some people, the sensation of movement may continue after disembarking.
It can be normal for this feeling of motion to continue for a few seconds or up to 3 days after exposure. However, when the rocking or swaying continues for months or years, it may be due to a condition called mal de debarquement syndrome (MdDS).
MdDS syndrome is a rare disorder affecting the vestibular system that controls your sense of balance. It is sometimes referred to as “land sickness” when it occurs only for shorter periods of time.
People with MdDS may feel like they are in motion when they’re not. It usually occurs after a person has been on a boat, plane, or an environment where they were exposed to passive motion, for example, a water bed or exercise equipment.
Is it bad to nap when jet lagged?
Can Naps Help With Jet Lag?. A quick nap may help you overcome excess daytime sleepiness related to jet lag, but it’s important to be careful with naps. If you nap for too long or too late in the day, it may throw off your sleep schedule even more. Try to keep naps less than 30 minutes and nap at least eight or more hours before your planned bedtime.
Can Sleep Aids Help With Jet Lag?. Sleep aids other than melatonin, including both prescription sleeping pills and over-the-counter drugs, do not cure jet lag because they don’t realign your circadian rhythm and therefore will not address the underlying cause of jet lag. That said, if jet lag is causing sleep deprivation, a sleep aid may help address that symptom.
Most sleeping pills have a powerful effect that can make you feel out-of-sorts and groggy for longer than expected, including after you wake up. The risk of falls or accidents is often higher after taking sleep medications. Frequent use of sleep aids may also make it harder to recognize an ongoing case of jet lag.
Is jet lag a 3 hour time difference?
Duration of Jet Lag: How Long It Lasts Researchers have found that, on average, it takes people about one day to adjust for each 1 to 1.5 hours of time change. So if you fly from the East Coast to the West Coast, which is a three-hour time difference, you should be over your jet lag in two to three days.
There are a number of ways to treat jet lag, apart from simply waiting it out. While drug options are available, experts say behavioral adjustments are typically the best remedy.
Lifestyle and Behavioral Changes That Can Help With Jet Lag. First of all, you’ll want to adapt your old routines to your new time zone. “As soon as you get on the plane, get in the mindset that you’re on your destination’s time zone,” Grandner says. “Change your watch right away and use the destination time to plan when you’re eating, when you’re sleeping, and when you’re working.”
In other words, act like you’re already fully acclimated to that new time zone and you’re back on your typical schedule. If you normally go to bed at 11 and get up at 7, and you normally eat meals at specific times of the day, follow that schedule in your new time zone.
Is cruise lag a thing?
I take my time and don’t go 100% cold turkey. I keep a few chocolates for those sweet cravings and try to start limiting those items as the week goes on. I also normally drink a lot more coffee on the ship then I do in my everyday life; as a result, I slowly reduce my caffeine intake as well. Cruise Lag may sound silly, but if you experience it, don’t panic and take it one day at a time!
And keep in mind, Cruise Lag not only involves food! You may find yourself confused and put on a tuxedo for dinner, thinking it is formal night. Or, upset when your bed isn’t made! What effects of Cruise Lag have you experienced?
FreshCruiser Tip: Start to plan your next cruise! It always helps to get over Cruise Lag!
How to overcome jet lag quickly?
Spend time outdoors during daylight hours in your new destination to help your body adjust to the new time zone quickly.Create a comfortable sleeping environment. Make sure where you sleep is comfortable for resting. … Limit caffeine and alcohol intake. … Eat light meals. … Relax before bedtime.
How long does cruise lag last?
Jet lag can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, according to the Sleep Foundation. These week-long bouts of jet lag are uncommon, however, with most travelers feeling better after only a few days.
The effects of jet lag typically last between one and two days per time zone crossed. However, this duration varies from person to person and flight to flight. Jet lag tends to resolve itself in a few days to a few weeks, but the timeline is different for everyone.
Can jet lag last five days?. Yes, jet lag can last as long as five days. Crossing three time zones can be enough of a disruption to cause symptoms for this period of time. Remember that the exact length of time jet lag lasts can vary based on personal factors.
Can jet lag last two weeks?. Yes, but it depends on your route. Jet lag lasting two weeks would be possible for travelers flying from Los Angeles to India, for example. However, it’s unlikely if you’re flying from Los Angeles to New York City.
Does jet lag ever go away?
What are the possible complications of jet lag?. Jet lag is typically a short-term issue that goes away after your body’s circadian rhythm has adjusted to the local time. But for frequent flyers — like pilots, flight attendants and business travelers — jet lag can sometimes cause complications.
If your circadian rhythm is consistently out of sync, it can create sleep issues that can lead to insomnia. Other complications may include:
📹 HOW TO DEAL WITH JET LAG // (first trip back to Europe)
I’ve been traveling to Europe four times per month for the last twelve years. Let me give you my secret recipe for dealing with jet …
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I am such a firm believer of hydration BEFORE you fly. Remember that dehydration while flying is a huge factor of jet lag. The water you drink today helps your body tomorrow. So if you are well hydrated before you fly you won’t be as tired when you arrive. Also during the flight keep up with the water.
I often fly from the east coast to Italy, I have done this several times and it works well for me. It is impractical to try to adjust to the whole time difference before you go (and your pineal gland won’t allow), but several days ahead of departure, I set the alarm an hour earlier each day, and go to bed an hour earlier. I usually get up at 4 AM the day of departure, so falling asleep on the plane is easier. And I get there I’m not 6 hours behind, just 3 or 4, and adjusting to the new time is much quicker and less exhausting.
I have flown overseas several times and struggked with large wheeled suitcases on The streets of Europe As I age, my physical abilities and vision loss have made it far more difficult . My choldren have urged us to just pack in carryons. I so happy I came across your articles-I have learned so much and altered my way of looking at things. Thank you!
I had an overnight flight from Bali to Melbourne (Australia) and after checking out of my hotel at 10am, I spent most of the day at the airport. I became increasingly unwell on the flight. On arrival, I went into the Qantas lounge and had a shower and rested for a while before having some breakfast. I felt totally revived. I had been awake for 25 hours at that stage.
Food scarcity is a lot more powerful driver of our circadian rhythm than even the light/dark cycle is. This is why I use fasting to eliminate jet lag and it has always worked for me with just one fast as opposed to all the other suggested methods taking some time to have an effect. I do a 16 hour fast and time it so that it concludes at breakfast time at the destination. It’s pretty easy considering you’re usually sleeping 8 or so of those hours anyway. It has worked every time and worked quickly. Also, if you’re like me and can’t stand the taste of stevia so can’t drink LMNT some other options that I use are liquid IV (I use this one because it has real sugar) and bucked up IV (which I switched to because it has the best sodium/potassium/magnesium ratio for me from a health and performance standpoint).
Wisps (Colgate wisps) are great! I use for the end of a flight or in-between meals on a plane. They are a bit longer than a toothpick. On one end is a tiny brush with toothpaste on it. The opposite end can be used as tooth pick/flosser. They can be found at Walgreens for 24 for $8. They pack great and again don’t count as a liquid.
Marvelous tips! I pack my own snacks that last w/o refrigeration (sliced bell peppers, nuts, quartered artichoke hearts are my favs). In the 1st half of the trip I stay away from salt, sugar, and oily food as they tax digestion & blood sugar. Your tip to restore electrolytes with prepackaged powder is excellent! And eating meals at the destination’s normal time helps my internal clock reset.
What has worked for me, is I book a hotel, in or near the arrival airport, especially after a long overnight flight. I reserve a room the night of my flight so when I arrive at 7 or 8 in the next morning, I have my room ready (I advise the hotel when I will be arriving to be sure they understand I was not a no-show). I sleep all day, wake to go out for dinner, then return to bed time at a reasonable hour. The following day I am usually good to go. I am retired and have the time to take that extra day to recuperate from jet lag. I tried the other way of staying up to acclimate to that country’s time zone (California to Australia), but found it took too long to adjust, and I was not enjoying my forced time awake.
You mentioned NannyBag! How great!! My son introduced me to it on a trip to Paris last year. My son, his wife, their two kids, my husband, and I took a speed train from Luxembourg to Paris. We left our bags at a restaurant around the corner from our AirBnB. It was wonderful and inexpensive. We could tour around and even came back for drinks before we caught the next train back to Luxembourg.
I tried that foot sling and found it uncomfortable. I have short legs so my feet dangle and my feet and legs lose circulation. I packed a pair of Wellow comprehension socks but couldn’t find them in my personal bag. My ankles swelled and stayed that way over my week in London. My trip back I asked the attendants if there was a seat where I could sit with my feet up and they allowed me to sit in one of their seats for awhile. Note: I found those socks stuffed under some other items. When I fly, or drive, I’m going to be sure to wear these socks. Thank you for your tips.
Lots of great tips and reminders. I have a kinda weird tip but it really helps me and hubby on overnight flights. We put on sunglasses in the airport before getting on the plane and keep them on during flight, switching to eye mask later on. Somehow tricks your brain’s internal clock. I don’t remember where I read about it but figured it was worth a try. And it was – total game changer for us.
Thanks Laurie, I’m going to try these tips out in September when we fly from U.K. to Hong Kong. I always get bad jet lag flying home after USA holidays (it can take me a few days to get over it) but this time it should hit on arrival of our holiday so I’m going to try all these tips out & pray it doesn’t hit bad like it normally does. 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻
On my flight to Australia, I read all about preventing jet lag but did none of the things I read. I just can’t sleep on a plane. So I arrived in Australia 16.5 hours later without any sleep. I managed to stay awake most of the day, went to sleep early and slept until morning ready to start my day and no jet lag. On my flight back I was even worse. Drank all the caffeine and did not sleep. I felt dead to the world when we got home and slept all night waking up feeling off. I felt off for several days. Next time I go to Australia I will take a sleeping pill. The guy next to me on the flight did that and slept the whole flight. I did drink water, wore compression stockings and did my leg and feet exercises. The plane bathroom reeked by the end of the flight so I freshened up after customs in an airport bathroom. Deodorant after a 16.5 hour flight is essential! I also wore a Scottevest and kept my passport and papers secure in an inside zippered pocket. They were easy to get to but very secure. The vest was not cheap but might be my favorite travel accessory as you can keep lots of stuff in the pockets while in flight and get to them easily. I have to say 16.5 hours on a plane is not easy.
Hey! Laurie, great article! I loved the reference to Kings Cross and the tube map. We’re really lucky to travel quite a lot and your articles are always helpful. I was blown away by your tip linking mineral water to hydration. I had never made that connection before and I know it’s going to help me hit the ground running when we’re next stateside God Bless Lisax
Love all the tips! Thank you for all your informative vids. We just came back from Europe this week. Going over we managed the jet lag great. However coming back to the States was another story. It has kicked our butts! What are best practice tips for coming home? I know a lot of the same tips apply but we flew back during the day and had a decent layover. We got home at bedtime and went straight to bed. We haven’t slept well this week and have taken naps which we never do. 😮
Flying from Toronto to Melbourne Australia last year we were able to get on Melbourne time right away as we arrived in the evening and were exhausted from 30 hrs of travel, however, It took us at least 4 days to feel completly normal. Serious fatigue would happen every afternoon but we refused to nap to stay on time. We just took it easy for a few days. It was much worse coming home unfortunatly. It took over a week and my husband and I both suffered from severe insomnia even with melatonin. Flying to Europe this fall was a breeze in comparison.
I have short legs so I purchased one of those foot slings. Plus I’m going to wear compression socks for that same reason. Having a window seat it’ll be inconvenient to get up a number of times to use the bathroom or walk the aisles so that ABC trick will be a fun way to keep my legs moving. The neck pillow- can you hook it outside if personal bag with a caribener since it’ll take up necessary space inside my backpack? Thanks so much for all of your tips since I will be traveling solo to England and will be stressed out and tired throughout. Only 2 months before I leave!
I just got back from 3 weeks in Europe. Travel is exhausting! Laurie, could you possibly do a article on security check points in other countries? I was taken by surprise at Heathrow. Their liquids rules are much stricter than ours! Wound up having to ditch some of my liquids. Remember TSA pre check doesn’t work in o5her countries. Thanks for all your helpful advice!
I do not have a natural Bend in my neck. When I’m a passenger in a car I always have to have my neck pillow. My neck pillow is foam and I’ve had it for around twenty years. I purchased your neck pillow for my trip from Naples, Italy back to Virginia. I also used your neck pillow when we rented a car for 2 days in Italy. For me it was more of a lifesaver in the car. It works great. Highly recommend it
Very long time ago when I was travelling, the transit was in Frankfurt (after 8 hours flight, waiting second part of flight of another 8 hours) and it was a 6-8 hours wait (I did not have visa at that time). I learnt that the airport had free showers, so I used it – that was completely different feeling. I guess there are showers now in the airport, but they could be for payment (at least few days ago I found those facilities in Munich airport, of course not for free). But still it is a good option to revive.
Unisex Men Flight Travel DVT compression Socks are good to The graduated shape of the sock encourages the blood to move back up to the heart and drastically cuts the risk of blood clots. They are great socks at a wonderful price that will really keep you moving – even when you’re sitting down. They can also help prevent swollen ankles and tired aching legs making
I was talking to the flight attendant on my flight to London. I told her I was going to keep the Bischoff for the first night in my hotel, and told how many times they were they were only thing I had to eat on the first night. She came back with a double handful of the cookies and told me not to tell. 😂
What a great article! Going an Alpine Europe trip and I never sleep on an airplane. One thing you didn’t mention though, my plane will not take me to my final destination—have to take a train. I gave myself two days (this is sort of a relaxed tour—they provide the places but you set your activities). Maybe would be better to stay in Munich that night? Any thoughts??
Hey there Laurie, thanks for your great tips, I have been perusal for a very long time, thought it was time I said Hello! My name is Sharlot, and I am currently in Naxos, Greece. I shall be flying home to Australia from the UK later in June, what is the name of the neck pillow that you recommend, and is it from Amazon or somewhere else, please? ☺️I have had a look through the comments, and even tried to see what was written on the cover, without success!😌 Take care, Sharlot🌻
Gadgets will not help you beat jet lag. The best way to REDUCE it is to set your watch and clocks on your devices to your destination time when you board your flight to your destination country. Then, act according to that time as much as possible. Don’t even try to go to sleep until it is an appropriate bedtime in your destination. Then, take some melatonin and try to sleep as much as possible until you can smell breakfast. then, get up, use the lav, and get ready for the day. When you land, get as much sun during the day as possible and prudent. Eat meals at meal times even if you aren’t hungry. Take a short nap in the afternoon if you absolutely have to, but set an alarm and get up after a half hour. Then, move as much as possible and prudent. Jet lag is not just the interruption of the sleep/wake cycle. This is what I do to reduce jet lag, and it works.
As long as you eat the purchased meals before you land at your international airport you’re fine, otherwise customs will dump it. They can fine you too. (As I’m sure you know already lol) Question: Am I right in my belief that once through TSA you can rearrange your liquids to wherever you want to? No matter how dorky it looks, wear your backpack in front of your body when going through the crowded airport. I use Mio with electrolytes in my water bottle.
one absolutely great thing about Glasgow airport is they have restrooms in the area between international arrivals and customs. I found that flying west to east is a lot less problematic than flying east to west. on the west to east flight, we boarded at dusk, and woke up at dawn. changed planes at 9, and arrived just after lunchtime. got to where we were staying right around dinnertime, went to bed, and woke up in the morning, felling like it was morning. compare to the return, where we made the first leg the day before; then boarded in the afternoon, flew for 10 hours, and arrived before evening. the biggest thing I do is plan for a day off after we get back home. we’re currently planning a fall trip, but we don’t know yet whether it will involve flying or a boat ride or just a lot of driving.
I always fly with my Ursa, my friendly Polaris bear! Hydrate hydrate hydrate! 48 hrs prior to long haul flights, I abstain from caffeine and zero coffee and schedule light activity and resting 24-48 hrs after landing, if possible, as well as booking hotels with indoor pools or find the local pools for relaxing swims (great in Iceland and Northern Europe). The third day, coffee beverages are fire go go gadget juice! Abstaining from coffee/tea prior to going abroad can make coffee consumption either the best moment to look forward to or can cause anxiety… proceed with caution. I avoid all caffeine beverages and alcohol on flights as well. Booking lay flat seats on red-eyes are great for morning people.