Ideas On How to Deal With Jet Lag

Jet lag happens when you go through several time zones while flying to Europe. Although it can be a major factor in your first day in Europe, it usually causes even more issues when you come back to the United States. However, there are several things that you can do to help you overcome jet lag, or avoid it entirely. Like everything about travel in Europe, it's all about knowledge and preparation.

One way that you can avoid jet lag entirely is by sleeping on the plane. If you have trouble sleeping on planes, you may want to try an over the counter sleep aid. If you have never used over-the-counter sleeping aids in the past, you should try them out before your trip to see how you will react to them. Once you find one that works well for you, you can pack it into your carry-on luggage for use on the plane.

Melatonin is often recommended by veteran travelers as the best way to handle jet lag. However, different people react in different ways to over the counter or prescription melatonin. But as we said before, it is best to try melatonin before your flight to make sure that you will not have any problems with the drug. In some people it can cause sickness, tiredness without sleeping, or even cause nightmares. If you prefer not to take medications, you can get melatonin by drinking red wine on the plane or before your flight.

Another way that you can avoid jet lag is by changing your sleeping schedule before you leave. About a week before your planned trip to Europe, start getting up earlier and earlier in the morning, and going to bed earlier and earlier in the evening. By the time you leave, you will be on a sleeping schedule compatible with your destination's time zone. When you return to the United States, simply reverse the process by staying up later and getting up later a little bit at a time until you are back to your original sleeping schedule.

However you plan to deal with your jet lag, there are a few safety tips to keep in mind. If you are feeling overly tired or nauseous from going across several time zones, you need to stop and rest. Don't try to ignore through a bad case of jet lag and start having fun right away, just rest for a few hours at the hotel before hitting the shops, then do so.

When you have jet lag, you are more likely to be less aware of your surroundings, and become a more likely target for crimes against tourists. This is not the time for wandering about the city or conducting currency exchanges. If you don't feel quite yourself, rest first, then handle those details that require a fresh and alert mind. This will protect you physically and financially. After all, your vacation will not be any fun at all if you are robbed or scammed out of all of your money on the first day!