How to Avoid Jet Lag

Jet lag, the cycle of midday drowsiness and 3am restlessness we all know and hate, is essentially caused by your body crossing time zones faster than your brain can catch up. Our wake/sleep cycles, appetite and other physical ‘clocks’ are all governed by the hormone melatonin, produced by the pituitary gland, which in turn is influenced by exposure to sunlight and darkness. Flying across several time zones interrupts its natural 24-hour cycle, throwing all your body clocks out of sync. Result: your brain thinks it’s still in New York when it’s really in Sydney, while your body isn’t quite sure where it is.

So, how do you get rid of jet lag? Well, it’s not about how to get rid of jet lag, but how to prevent it that matters most.

Sleep smarter

Before your next long-haul flight, try going to bed an hour earlier each night and getting up an hour earlier each morning if heading east, or doing the reverse for a few days if traveling west. This will reduce the difference between your sleep schedule and the local time at your destination, leaving you a little fresher. This way, there won’t be much jet lag to get rid of.

If you have work conflicts that make it difficult for you to adjust your sleep schedule, then we recommend getting shut-eye on the plane. There is nothing worse than being dressed in uncomfortable clothes on a flight. So, our best recommendation for flying international is to wear comfy travel clothes.

For the most flattering travel leggings that keep you breathable and comfy, check out Anatomie’s Bleeker Compression Mesh Leggings.

We recommend pairing these travel leggings with our Bri Tank Top in dusty rose color. This top is crafted from luxurious wrinkle-free Pima cotton with a figure-flattering style.

Choose the right plane

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A380 boast anti-jet lag features, to help you get rid of jet lag before it starts. Features include mood lighting designed to simulate daylight and nighttime in a more natural rhythm.

Flying business class rather than economy may help reduce jet lag for the simple reason that it’s easier to sleep in business; if it’s economy or bust, however, use Seatguru to choose the most comfortable seat on your flight. Bring an eye mask and ear plugs to help you sleep better on the flight.

Just say no

Getting rid of jet lag means not starting it in the first place. As attractive as they can seem during a tedious and tiring journey, it’s wise to avoid alcohol and caffeine from the time you arrive at the airport. Coffee, tea and booze all cause dehydration, which has been shown to exacerbate the symptoms of jet lag. The pressurized atmosphere and conditioned air in the plane are also major dehydration culprits, so drink lots of water and bring your own herbal tea bags to use during the hot drinks service.

If you are trying to get rid of jet lag after a holiday aboard with long nights out, make sure to stay hydrated and remember to take your vitamins.

Eat right

Most airplane meals are highly processed, both to preserve the food and to ensure you can taste it (high cabin pressure mutes your senses of smell and taste). That means there’s a lot of salt, fat and/or sugar in your in-flight food. Airports typically offer more fast food than healthy dining options, too. All of this contributes to a sense of sluggishness, both during your flight and after you arrive. To get rid of any chance of jet lag, eat a large meal with plenty of protein and veggies before departing for the airport, and pack healthy snacks like nuts and fruit so you won’t be so tempted by the bad stuff.

If you got hungry on the plane and became tempted by plane food, fear not. You can still get rid of jet lag by eating nutritious foods. We recommend high protein greens, like spinach, some carbs and a glass of fresh orange juice. Your jet lag will be gone in no time. 

Plan ahead

Travelling east typically results in worse jet lag than travelling west, as it has the effect of shortening rather than lengthening the day of travel. Always check your direction of travel, and when travelling east, allow yourself an extra day or two to recover before any important events.

Also make sure you bring appropriate clothing for changes in air temperature during the flight and after you land. We recommend bringing along our travel Merika windbreaker. It packs compactly for global travel or everyday adventures and is a chic layer whether rain or shine is in the forecast. 

Give yourself a break

It’s easy to forget that flying is not a natural state; jet lag is one way our bodies respond to conditions they weren’t designed for. So be kind to yourself, and don’t try to push your body past its limits! Sleep, hydration, sunlight and healthy food are as fundamental to life in the air as they are on the ground, so make sure you get plenty of each to reduce or get rid of jet lag!

Pack comfortable clothes

Looking to travel comfortably in style? Anatomie is a luxury travel clothing company offering lightweight, wrinkle-free travel clothes for women. Our high performance pants, tops and jackets are designed to wander the world in comfort while looking stylish and chic.

Anatomie offers luxurious collections of women's travel clothing, including wrinkle-free travel pants, lightweight travel jackets, stylish travel vests, effortless travel dresses and comfortable travel tops. Combining everyday practicality with European style sensibility, our versatile collection of travel clothing serves as business attire, cruise wear, safari clothing, resort wear, women's golf apparel and spa attire. In sum, we provide the ultimate wardrobe for all luxurious travel destinations.