Are you looking for excellent ways to overcome jet lag after a long-haul flight, east to west? Long haul travel across several time zones has been known to throw your body rhythm in disarray. Being a frequent traveller, we’ve come up with 7 excellent ways to overcome jetlag once you get home.
The tips we’ve compiled to overcome jet lag at home are those we’ve tried and tested. Whilst there are many tips out there, we believe our 7 excellent ways to overcome jet lag at home are the best. Having experienced both east to west and vice versa travels, we know what works.
7 Excellent Ways to Overcome Jet Leg Once you Get Home!
Over the last 5 years of at least one long haul across time zones, we’ve experienced jet lag in all forms. Jet lag is defined as a temporary sleep disorder caused when rapid travel throws off our circadian rhythm. For most of us, this temporary sleep disorder can be overcome in a few hours and others can take days.
In this article, we aim to share 7 excellent ways to overcome jet lag at home. Try these simple yet effective tips and before you know it, you would have overcome jet lag. It doesn’t have to take days, use these 7 excellent ways to overcome jet lag.
Excellent Ways to Overcome Jet Lag – #1 Exercise
Exercise, simple as that! A simple exercise like walking around your home or street. Don’t be tempted to perform strenuous exercises in hopes of falling asleep. This will, in fact, delay your sleep, try simple exercises like Yoga. Lying on your back with legs lifted is one that is highly recommended as it relieves pressure in your feet and ankles.
Excellent Ways to Overcome Jet Lag – #2 Hydration
Whenever I travel I make a point of ensuring I stay hydrated throughout the flight. During the flight, the air is too dry and can make you become dehydrated. I discourage people from drinking coffee, teas or even alcohol on the plane. All these drinks only make you become more dehydrated, I always drink water. And a few times I choose to drink blueberry juice or similar juices.
Excellent Ways to Overcome Jet Lag – #3 Stay mobile
The last thing you want to do is keep busy when you just spent 10+ hours on a plane. But I guarantee you being mobile is the best way, this allows your blood to continue circulating. This is a great way to avoid Deep Vein Thrombosis – which is a clot that can form on/after long-haul flights. Move about at home, this goes hand in hand with exercising, which yoga is awesome for.
Excellent Ways to Overcome Jet Lag – #4 Sun & Air
Two things your body misses out a lot on whilst on a long-haul flight is fresh air and sunlight. Get some sun on your skin so your body is not forced to produce melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone known to cause fatigue and making you want to fall asleep. Once you get home, shower, drink some water and get outside for some fresh air and move about to overcome jetlag.
Excellent Ways to Overcome Jet Lag – #5 Catch some shut eye
One thing I always do when travelling is catching a shut eye in correspondence with
Excellent Ways to Overcome Jet Lag – #6 Stay Awake
Whilst this might seem contradictory, it is not. Stay awake if you arrive early in the morning. There is no point is sleeping when its daytime at your destination. This is why I emphasise the importance of catching a shut eye whilst on the plane. I always adjust my watch so I know when to sleep on the plane. Always make sure you sleep when its night time at your destination and vice versa.
Excellent Ways to Overcome Jet Lag – #7 Prepare
Before every time, make sure you prepare in advance before flying. Many travellers swear by starting to adopt your new time zone sleep schedule. Whilst this is not always possible, consider going to bed earlier or eating earlier.
Other preparations that can be done can include packing eye masks and earplugs. Sleeping on the plane is not always especially when there is so much noise. Invest in some noise-cancelling headphones, these always work best for me.
Jet lag is another form of non-medical fatigue and we’ve shared ways to overcome it. Frequent travellers always create routines to fall before and after every long-haul flight. The body then gets used to that which will then reduce experience jet lag with every long-haul flight.
bryanna says
honestly great tips here — I think hydration and staying active after landing is key for sure! 🙂
Laura says
These are some awesome tips. I personally don’t fly due to a phobia, but my little boy returned from a holiday to Florida and this would have helped loads!
Olivia Jade says
I hate jet lag! But I think these tips are great at dealing with it, just wish I knew about them when I was abroad! :’) x
Fritha says
Definitely going to refer to this the next time I’m on a long fight! Life saver!
WhatLauraLoves says
I find fighting jet lag to be so hard despite the fact that I do travel quite a lot so I’ll be putting your tips into action to see if they work for me. xxx
Jenni says
I think staying hydrated is a big one when flying. These are great tips
Rebecca | AAUBlog says
I’ve found myself quite lucky with jet lag in that I can sleep anywhere, so sleeping on long haul flights at anytime isn’t a problem for me. But you do just have to power through at your destination and stay awake
Rhian Westbury says
I don’t think I’ve ever properly had jet lag, I always try and get back into the routine of times as soon as I’m back and it tends to work x
Jemma says
These are such great tips. Jet lag can be a pain and makes it difficult to get back to the old routine.
Melanie says
These are really good tips. Best one for me lots of water hydration for sure x
Stacey Peters says
So true, very good tips. I just had to use a few of them coming back from Italy.
Becky Jarratt says
It’s a long time since I went on a long-haul flight! I do remember being horribly jet-lagged when I arrived in Australia, but didn’t feel nearly as bad when returning home.
Nichola - Globalmouse says
Great tips and I totally agree about sunlight, it’s the best way isn’t it?
Heather says
I’m usually only an hour out of my current time zone, but yes, I’d say get some shut-eye and give yourself some extra time to sleep if you can. Great tips!
TheDenaEdit says
I’ve only ever suffered with jet lag once, when I went to Mexico. It was really hard to get over, it took me days!
Rachael says
Fantastic tips, I find it so hard to stay mobile and do some exercise but it really does help. Along with making sure you drink lots of water, as you say!
Hannah says
Thanks for posting this. I travel very often so do get jetlag a lot
Gisele says
I’ve never traveled to other countries so I have never experienced jet lag. These are great tips for overcoming it.
Pam says
I haven’t had jet lag in a while but you’re right to sleep on the plane and then stay away if it’s morning when you reach your destination. It makes it easier to fall asleep that night and acclimate to the new time.
cathy mini says
This is so helpful and i try this all for one of my kids hope its works ., we love to travel thanks for sharing this excellent tips .
Terri Steffes says
For me, sleeping on the plane and getting plenty of water are what get me over the jetlag. Plus, sleeping in my own bed is always the very best.
Marysa says
I am always so exhausted when we travel, and I can’t imagine having some major jet lag on top of it! These are great tips for helping get back in a routine.
Amber Myers says
I’ll keep these in mind. I so hate dealing with jet lag. When my husband and I went to Hawaii, it was a little tough, and it wasn’t even that bad! We do want to get to Europe again at some point, so that’s when the real struggle will be.
GiGi Eats says
Exercise = 10000% helps! And then of course NAPS!! I don’t suffer too terribly from jet lag but honestly if it makes me wake up super early, I embrace it and get a crap load done! LOL! When we came back from Africa, I woke up at 2am and stayed up until the following night around 9 or 10, and then, NO MORE jet lag!!
Sally Akins says
These are some great tips – I definitely find that trying to sleep according to the new time zone helps
Jenn@Engineermommy says
I don’t fly much at all, but these are great tips for the person that does. I have felt jet-lag before as most of us have and it is such a bummer. Great tips to keep in mind.
Tabitha Blue says
I need to save these tips since I’ll be flying soon!!!
Heather says
It’s been a while since I’ve had to deal with jet lag but I remember how hard it was. I came home and slept for almost a full day!
Joline says
I fly long haul regularly and I find that staying awake helps me adjust to the local time zone the quickest. It’s hard but by the next day I’m good to go.
Jeanette says
I try really hard to stay hydrated and moving on a plane! Usually I get up and walk the plane about once every two hours! Jet lag gets me almost every time!
Angie says
Jet Lag can be SO hard to deal with. I haven’t had to in a while, and luckily never overseas jetlag (or is unlucky since I haven’t been over seas?) but I’ve seen people dealing with it.
Kita Bryant says
A nice nap does the trick for me. Unless I have about 9 hours of lag to catch up on. Lol!
Tasheena says
Looking forward to implementing your tips. Typically, I’m so excited about the trip that I eventually snap out of it.
Alli Smith says
These are all great ways to overcome jet lag. I have a problem falling asleep on a plane, no matter how long the trip. I do try to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. I’m going to use these tips on my next long flight.
Sarah Bailey says
Jet lag can really be awful can’t it? It has been a long time since I took any flight – but these are 100% some tips I am going to keep in mind in case I take the skies again sometime soon!
Candy says
I use all your ideas for jet lag. If I keep going and sleep at night when I am suppose to makes it easier
Kelsey says
I fly long haul quite a lot too but still haven’t quite got the hang of getting over jetlag! I think fresh air is a very good point because if I’m inside sitting on something soft thats when the eyelids get droopy!
Hannah says
Thanks for posting this. I travel very often so do get jetlag a lot
Nichola - Globalmouse says
Great tips and I totally agree about sunlight, it’s the best way isn’t it?
TheDenaEdit says
I’ve only ever suffered with jet lag once, when I went to Mexico. It was really hard to get over, it took me days!
Becky Jarratt says
It’s a long time since I went on a long-haul flight! I do remember being horribly jet-lagged when I arrived in Australia, but didn’t feel nearly as bad when returning home.
Rachael says
Fantastic tips, I find it so hard to stay mobile and do some exercise but it really does help. Along with making sure you drink lots of water, as you say!
Tabitha Blue says
I need to save these tips since I’ll be flying soon!!!
Gisele says
I’ve never traveled to other countries so I have never experienced jet lag. These are great tips for overcoming it.
Jenn@Engineermommy says
I don’t fly much at all, but these are great tips for the person that does. I have felt jet-lag before as most of us have and it is such a bummer. Great tips to keep in mind.
Terri Steffes says
For me, sleeping on the plane and getting plenty of water are what get me over the jetlag. Plus, sleeping in my own bed is always the very best.
Sally Akins says
These are some great tips – I definitely find that trying to sleep according to the new time zone helps
Heather says
I’m usually only an hour out of my current time zone, but yes, I’d say get some shut-eye and give yourself some extra time to sleep if you can. Great tips!
cathy mini says
This is so helpful and i try this all for one of my kids hope its works ., we love to travel thanks for sharing this excellent tips .
Marysa says
I am always so exhausted when we travel, and I can’t imagine having some major jet lag on top of it! These are great tips for helping get back in a routine.
Pam says
I haven’t had jet lag in a while but you’re right to sleep on the plane and then stay away if it’s morning when you reach your destination. It makes it easier to fall asleep that night and acclimate to the new time.
Heather says
It’s been a while since I’ve had to deal with jet lag but I remember how hard it was. I came home and slept for almost a full day!
Angie says
Jet Lag can be SO hard to deal with. I haven’t had to in a while, and luckily never overseas jetlag (or is unlucky since I haven’t been over seas?) but I’ve seen people dealing with it.
Jeanette says
I try really hard to stay hydrated and moving on a plane! Usually I get up and walk the plane about once every two hours! Jet lag gets me almost every time!
Kita Bryant says
A nice nap does the trick for me. Unless I have about 9 hours of lag to catch up on. Lol!
GiGi Eats says
Exercise = 10000% helps! And then of course NAPS!! I don’t suffer too terribly from jet lag but honestly if it makes me wake up super early, I embrace it and get a crap load done! LOL! When we came back from Africa, I woke up at 2am and stayed up until the following night around 9 or 10, and then, NO MORE jet lag!!
Amber Myers says
I’ll keep these in mind. I so hate dealing with jet lag. When my husband and I went to Hawaii, it was a little tough, and it wasn’t even that bad! We do want to get to Europe again at some point, so that’s when the real struggle will be.
Sarah Bailey says
Jet lag can really be awful can’t it? It has been a long time since I took any flight – but these are 100% some tips I am going to keep in mind in case I take the skies again sometime soon!
Joline says
I fly long haul regularly and I find that staying awake helps me adjust to the local time zone the quickest. It’s hard but by the next day I’m good to go.
Candy says
I use all your ideas for jet lag. If I keep going and sleep at night when I am suppose to makes it easier
Alli Smith says
These are all great ways to overcome jet lag. I have a problem falling asleep on a plane, no matter how long the trip. I do try to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. I’m going to use these tips on my next long flight.
Tasheena says
Looking forward to implementing your tips. Typically, I’m so excited about the trip that I eventually snap out of it.
Kelsey says
I fly long haul quite a lot too but still haven’t quite got the hang of getting over jetlag! I think fresh air is a very good point because if I’m inside sitting on something soft thats when the eyelids get droopy!