Flight attendant shares simple tip to avoid jet lag after long plane journeys
A flight attendant has issued their top tips on beating a common travel nuisance: jet lag.
Not much compares to the excitement of a looming vacation, especially if you're traveling somewhere long-haul.
Whether you fancy an exotic island getaway, or if a winter adventure up in the mountains is more your style, just knowing you've got time off to unwind can be a stress-buster.
Yet, that joy is often curtailed by the hassle of packing your suitcase, navigating airport security and then keeping entertained on the plane.
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Throw in adjusting to your new time zone, and it could be a while until you start feeling truly relaxed.
Jet lag is defined as 'the feeling of tiredness and confusion that people experience after making a long journey by plane to a place where the time is different from the place they left', as per the Cambridge Dictionary.
It can cause some uncomfortable symptoms, including 'daytime fatigue, an unwell feeling, trouble staying alert and stomach problems', Mayo Clinic explains.
While temporary, they can still disrupt your time away.
One anxious flyer took to social media for advice on busting the frustrating issue.
Posting to Reddit's R/TravelHacks thread, they asked: "How do people manage jet lag?" Before following up with: "I’ve seen on the internet that people have tried adjusting sleep schedules ahead of the trip, exposing yourself to sunlight, and melatonin supplements.
"Do these work? And what have you found to help?"
Among the hundreds of respondents imparting their wisdom was a flight attendant, who's been in the job for half a decade.
Summing up their advice, they explained that the solution was rather simple.
"If the sun's up, stay awake, if it’s down, go to sleep," they began.
"If it’s light outside the window, stay awake. If it’s dark go to sleep."
They offered up further tips, continuing: "Drink lots of water. The aircraft cabin is pressurised to 10,000 feet, there’s no moisture in the air and it’s why your skin dries out.
"If it’s daylight at your destination, stay awake."
The flight attendant added that if you're exceptionally tired, then you can take a nap.
"But no longer than an hour or you’ll mess your circadian rhythms up even more," they claimed, adding: "Try to stay awake till a normalish bedtime like 9pm."
In a candid admission, they resolved: "I tried everything from melatonin to lavender and eventually realised nothing works except the basics of 'follow the sun'."
I guess sometimes, less really is more!
Ellie Kemp