How to Beat Jet Lag

Are you dreaming of white sand beaches, teal crystal water, and plopping a straw inside a cut coconut for fresh water? When the travel bug bites, booking your next trip becomes a top priority.

But exploring the world can sometimes take a toll on our bodies. Frequent flyers can often experience flight day blues – jet lag, bloated bodies, swollen feat, stomach upset, deep fatigue and even dehydration. Making travel days more comfortable is going to make your vacation days more relaxing and fun. On our recent trip to Jamaica we tried out some new techniques to help the flight days feel smoother.

Hear are easy tips to beat jet lag rather then it beating up on you:

Gulp it – Drink lots of water before, during, and after your flight. Experts recommend that you drink at least two 8-ounce glasses just before departure and 1 liter for every hour you spend in the air — in addition to beverages you drink with meals. Even if you don’t feel thirsty, drink up.

Try before your fly – Start resetting your body clock before you fly. Shift your bedtime by an hour or two in the right direction starting three days before your trip.

Eat you veggies – Most people don’t fixate on what they intake leading up to a flight. But reducing sugar, salt and alcohol will help your body acclimate much faster. When we eat empty carbohydrates and excess amounts of sugar our bodies jump on the emotional roller coaster. Keeping a clean consistent diet of added fruits and vegetables will regulate your blood sugar, give you natural energy and reduce bloating. Another plus is eating a healthy diet will help your breath smell better. You’ll be thanking your future self when you just so happen to sit next to Prince Charming.

Take a mini mediation moment – Traveling can be stressful and hard on the body. Being squeezed onto an airplane for an extended sit down session is a great time to take time out to connect with inner awesome you. Close you eyes, and focus on your breath. Still the mind and be present in the moment. Studies show that people who mediate are less bothered by the little things. Which means that the stewardess who forgot your extra water won’t get the stink eye.

Power nap it – Once you arrive, taking a mini power nap can help you acclimate better. Studies show that power naps help circulation, increase brain concentration and help you become more alert. But keep them to 30 minutes or less so they don’t interfere with your nighttime sleep.

Smile – Smiling changes our mood. When we travel we often carry our stress on our face. Try putting on a smile. Most likely your mood will change for the better. Smiling tricks the body into making you feel good. Showing your pretty whites can also lower your blood pressure, boost your immune system and relieve stress.

Shannon Kaiser is an adventure travel editor for Healing Lifestyles & Spas. She is a wellness writer for many online publications. For tips on how to get a great smile, contact Newberg Family Dental, a dentist in Newberg, Oregon.