I was tempted to call this post something like, "How to Avoid Jet Lag," but the truth is that the vast majority of people, even the most seasoned travelers, are going to experience jet lag at one point or another, even on short-distance trips. (In fact, I find that a time difference of 2-3 hours can sometimes be more challenging to deal with than one of, say, 5-6 hours.) So while jet lag likely can't be avoided entirely, there are a few things you can do to mitigate its effects so that you can maximize your travels.
Change your mindset as soon as you set off. Your electronic gadgets will reset themselves when you reach your destination, but if you use any analog devices, adjust the time as soon as your journey begins. Also, don't constantly think about what time it is back at your starting point. Mind over matter!
It might go without saying, but if you're flying, especially overnight, try your best to get at least some sleep on the plane. Even a couple of hours can be hugely beneficial in staving off the effects of jet lag. Investing a few bucks in a decent travel pillow, a pair of earplugs, and an eye mask can pay off many times over if they help you get a few precious ZZZZs. Here's a whole kit with amazing reviews at a very reasonable price.
Jet lag is often the worst after an overnight flight. To make it extra challenging, if you're on a red-eye flight, chances are you're going to land at your destination many hours before you can check into your accommodations. It's worth asking ahead of time if you can get an early check-in time. It might cost a bit extra, but again, it will pay off mightily later on if you're able to get into your room at noon versus 4:00pm.
If you can't check in early, see if you can leave your luggage at your accommodations (hotels will likely be much more amenable to this than Airbnbs or VRBOs). If you have to pass some time before you can check in, better to do it without schlepping your luggage around.
If you aren't going to be able to check in for many hours, book a non-walking sightseeing tour. Most major cities/popular destinations have some form of the traditional double-decker bus tour. It's a great way to get a full picture of a place, which can you give you ideas of what you'd like to see more of later, and it'll let you rest for a bit while still getting started on your touring. Most of these tour companies can accommodate standard-sized luggage if you can't drop your luggage off before checking in.
You can also book a boat tour if you're travelling somewhere with a city river or lake, but I personally find it even harder to stay awake while rocking on a boat!
Time is precious when travelling. That being said, if you've been waiting your whole life to see one specific thing, don't plan to do that on your first day. Climbing the Eiffel Tower or trekking across the Great Wall of China when all you want to do is crawl into bed can really put a damper on the bucket-list experience. Wait a day or so to adjust so that you can truly savor the experience you've been waiting for.
Power through as best as you can on your first day and try to stay awake until your usual bedtime, but don't overdo the caffeine (or alcohol) in an effort to do so. Your best bet is to drink a lot of water and keep everything else to a minimum so that when you do finally put your head on the pillow you can get right to sleep.
If you are feeling really miserable and you're able to grab a nap, then by all means, go for it. (My kids and I passed out for a blissful two hours or so in our hotel lobby in Sarajevo last year, waiting for our check-in time.) Keep the nap to no more than on hour or two, though, or you won't be able to get to sleep later on in the night.
Finally, be aware that other factors besides jet lag can affect your circadian rhythms. For example, travelling to a place where it doesn't get dark until midnight or later (or not at all!) can be very unsettling if you're not used to it. We experienced the "midnight sun" in Iceland (from our Boston hometown) and I would say that threw me off maybe even more so than the jet lag. So go with the flow as best as you can, and know that your reward for pushing through will be an experience you'll never forget!
Any tips you would add to this list? Share them in the comments!
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