5 Tips on How to Beat Jet Lag

Do you regularly experience jet lag when flying? Well, you aren't alone. Statistics show up to seven in 10 air travelers will experience jet lag. It's an all-too-common condition that can turn an otherwise pleasant trip into a nightmare. Whether you're flying domestically or internationally, though, there are several steps you can take to beat jet lag.

#1) Avoid Caffeine

While drinking a cup of coffee may sound harmless, it can increase your risk of jet lag. Coffee, as well as all caffeinated beverages, act as a stimulant. Therefore, drinking a cup of coffee will make it difficult for you to fall asleep upon reaching your destination. If you're concerned about jet lag, avoid all caffeinated beverages before, during and after your flight.

#2) Exercise Before Your Flight

Another way to beat jet lag is to exercise before your flight. Exercise, of course, will consume your body's energy, leaving you feeling tired and exhausting. This is a good thing because it will make it easier for you to fall asleep once you've reached your destination and, hopefully, avoid jet lag.

#3) Drink Plenty of Water

It's important to drink plenty of water when traveling via an airplane. The air inside most airplanes is substantially drier than the air on the ground. As a result, you may unknowingly become dehydrated. Why does this matter? Well, dehydration can manifest in the form of more-severe jet lag symptoms. By staying hydrated, you can minimize the impact of jet lag.

#4) Set Your Clocks

Go ahead and set your clocks to the timezone of your flight destination. If you're flying to a city with a two-hour difference, for instance, you should go ahead and rollback, or roll forward, your clocks by two hours. This will give your body time to adjust, even before you step onto the airplane.

#5) Get Plenty of Sunlight

Spending a little extra time outdoors can help you beat jet lag. While researchers aren't sure exactly what causes jet lag, many believe that it's related to the body's circadian rhythm. Normally, our bodies have a sleep-and-wake cycle, which causes us to fall asleep and wake up at the same time each night and morning. If you spend all your time indoors, however, your body's rhythm may be thrown off because of lack of sunlight exposure. Sunlight helps regulate our bodies' circadian rhythm, making it a useful tool for beating jet lag.