Whether you’re heading to a tropical beach or just to see your family, it’s always nice to get away during the holidays. The only downside of flying is jet lag. Our bodies’ inability to reset after traveling through multiple time zones leaves us feeling fatigued, dehydrated, confused, nauseous, excessively sweaty and can even lead to bad headaches.
The good news is that there are several ways to fight those horrible feelings and enjoy your vacation to the fullest. Follow these tips to beat jet lag on your holiday vacation:
- Plan your flight times carefully: Combating jet lag begins when you book your flights. Try to reach your destination in the morning or early afternoon. That way, you’ll be tired and ready to fall asleep at your normal bedtime.
- Get a good night’s sleep beforehand: Don’t stay up late packing or put off your pre-trip chores until the morning of your flight. Be sure to get in bed early to get a full night’s rest before your trip.
- Have a plate of pasta before bed: Eating a carbohydrate-heavy meal before bed—especially if you’re traveling west—may help prevent jet lag by increasing sleep. It’s thought that carbs are a source of tryptophan, which can help activate the sleep-inducing neurotransmitter serotonin.
- Stay hydrated: One of our tips to beat jet lag on your holiday vacation is to drink plenty of water. Dehydration can make us feel sleepy, so bring a bottle of water on the plane and keep drinking it throughout your trip. Additionally, try to avoid coffee, sugary beverages or alcohol, which all cause dehydration.
- Avoid airplane food: Unless you’re on an overnight flight, try to avoid eating while you’re on the plane. While snacks are fine, a whole meal can trick your body into thinking it’s time to go to bed, which is precisely what you don’t want.
- Soak up the sunshine: Once you’ve arrived at your vacation destination, get outside and soak up the sun. Getting outside boosts endorphins and can help you stay awake throughout the day without feeling groggy.
- Get some exercise: Another way to boost endorphins is to exercise. You don’t need to do a full workout in the hotel fitness center—something as simple as taking a walk or swimming a few laps in the pool can get the job done.
- Keep your regular sleep schedule: It may be tempting to take a mid-day nap once you’ve arrived, but try to avoid that at all costs. Napping will likely keep you up later at night, which will keep you feeling jet lagged the following day. Stay awake throughout the day and try going to sleep at your regular bedtime.
CBD may be able to help
If you’ve tried our tips to beat jet lag on your holiday vacation and you’re still having trouble falling asleep, try a Serym Pro CBD product. CBD is linked to providing better nights of sleep, and may be able to help you wake up feeling refreshed and ready for another day of vacation.