Jet lag is a reaction in your body to time changes when you travel. It can be difficult for travelers to combat this issue, but factoring it into your vacation planning before, during, and after your flight will help reduce its impact. Here are a few tips to avoid jet lag and make traveling easier.

How to Prevent Jet Lag

1. Adjust Your Sleep Schedule Before Leaving

Prepare for the time zone you’re entering by altering your sleep schedule beforehand. If you’re flying east to west, stay up a little later and sleep a little longer. If you’re flying in the opposite direction, get up earlier and go to bed earlier. If you’re traveling a long distance, you might not be able to compensate for the entire time difference, but every bit helps.

2. Drink Lots of Water

Dehydration can make jet lag feel worse. Don’t be tempted by caffeinated or alcoholic beverages on your flight that will further dehydrate you. Instead, drink lots of water.

3. Sleep on the Flight

If you’re arriving at your destination in the morning, try to sleep on the flight. Wear loose, comfortable clothes and pack a neck pillow, eye mask, and noise-canceling headphones to make falling asleep easier. Put on a calming podcast or listen to soft music. If you usually have trouble falling asleep on flights, you can take melatonin or another sleep aid, but don’t rely on them for the rest of your trip.

4. Stay Awake Until Evening

If you didn’t manage to sleep on the plane, you might be tempted to go back to your hotel room and sleep in the middle of the day. However, this will only make your jet lag worse, and you might end up missing some of the activities you were excited about during the vacation planning process. Wait until evening to fall asleep. Going outside to soak up the natural sunlight in the meantime will help reset your sleep cycle.

If you're ready for an international trip, N & K Travel Service is here to help with vacation planning. Located in Honolulu, HI, their travel agents have over 30 years of experience and specialize in trips to Okinawa, Japan, as well as other locations, like Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and South Korea. Visit them online to learn more about their services, or call (808) 739-9010 to receive a free estimate for your trip today.