5+ Tips on How to Beat Jet Lag Like a Seasoned Traveller

Last Updated on 5th February 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

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We’ve all been there; we’ve finally reached a destination after hours of anticipation and traveling. Once at the destination, particularly when travelling east (which is much harder to adapt to than travelling west), we’ve found it almost impossible to fall asleep, even though it’s the middle of the night! Here’s your ultimate guide of the best tips on how to beat jet lag like a seasoned traveller.

After all, it’s intensely frustrating when you finally check into your hotel/ accommodation, eat a little bit and try and fall asleep, only to find that you’re still wide awake and on your previous time zone.

Jet lag can be super annoying and cause you to feel like you’re so tired; you’re missing out on the fun you should be having. Luckily, overcoming jet lag doesn’t have to be as hard as you think…

Tips for getting over jet lag

#1 Skip the coffee and opt for tea instead

Although it may be tempting to reach for the hot brew when you feel tired, both coffee and flying are naturally dehydrating, meaning that a combination of the two can make you feel even worse than before. Coffee also drains you of all the energy you have stored up, ensuring that you’ll feel even more tired later on.

#2 Change your watch/ clock/ phone ahead of time

Change your watch, phone, laptop, and anything else that has the time on it to local time. Just being reminded of the fact that you’d be asleep in bed if you were at home can make you feel infinitely more tired.

#3 Avoid blue screens on technology

If you’re meant to be sleeping and just can’t don’t reach for your phone, tablet or the latest instalment of your favourite series on Netflix! The blue screen will stimulate your eyes, making it a lot harder to sleep. Instead, pick up a book or magazine, which is much better for your eyes and will allow you to relax, and maybe even fall asleep.

#4 Adjust your meal times

Much like changing your watches and clocks ahead of time so as to being adjusting to the new time of your destination as early as possible, start adjusting your meal times. Try and stick to local times for meal times and bedtimes, it will make it a lot easier to quickly adjust (and ensure that you don’t miss out on any museum visits!)

#5 Rest if you’re meant to be asleep during the new time zone

During overnight flights, if you can’t sleep, then try and concentrate on resting if it’s meant to be night time (and the time you’re meant to be asleep) at your arrival destination. Worrying about not sleeping when you’re supposed to will just make you more tired than before.

I’ve had several occasions where I’ve booked an overnight flight from West to East so as to save money on travel tickets and not have to pay an extra overnight accommodation in my arrival destination. With this being said, in order to successfully enjoy your day in your new destination, it’s imperative that you try and rest on the plane!

#6 Eat healthy and nutritious food while travelling!

Stock up on the fruit and veg; when you’re traveling, it can be difficult to keep up with the healthy eating, especially given the availability and speed of fast food outlets… but your body clock will thank you for it, as will your skin!

Avoid heavy foods that are laden with dairy such as cheese. After all, you will find it harder to rest on the plane if your body is too busy digesting all that food!

#7 Drink plenty of water

Drink plenty of water; like eating fruit and veg, this can be tricky to keep up. Flying dries out your skin and being dehydrated can deplete the energy resources you already have.

If you’re looking to beat jet lag, then properly hydrating yourself is paramount. Drinking water may mean that you have to go to the loo in the air more frequently, and no one likes the plane toilets… but your skin will thank you for this one too!

#8 Try to avoid getting too nervous on the flight

Of all the ways to beat jet lag, this final point is probably one that many people don’t even consider. However, it’s worth noting that, if you are nervous on the plane, then you’ll be even more tired, find it difficult to rest, and therefore find it harder to get over jet lag when you reach your new destination.

If you get anxious before flights, then be sure to check out all of my best plane travel tips for nervous flyers.

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