You know that feeling you get when you’re booking that next vacation. You typically go through a range of emotions and how to beat jetlag isn’t one of them.

Excitement.

Anticipation.

Non-stop planning.

First of Many!

Then you hop on the plane, have a few cocktails, and wakeup in your destination of choice ready to hit the ground running. UNTIL…you check-in to your hotel and your head hits that pillow and BOOM!

Score

Jetlag    1

You        0

Luckily, it doesn’t always have to be that way!

It’s true. There are steps you can take to beat jetlag. By no means is this list exhaustive, but by the time you finish reading this, you will have a headstart on travel healthy and beat jetlag with these five steps to travel fresh.

Step 1: Sleep before you fly

Often times, especially when taking a longhaul flight, you may want to get sleep on the plane. There are a few reasons this might not always be the best strategy however. If there is a large time difference between your origin and destination and you arrive at night, for example, your first night will be restless and jetlag will hit the next day. Also, whether business class or economy, airplane sleep will typically not always provide the most pleasant slumber. A better alternative, a day or two before travel try to align your sleep pattern with that of your destination. That way, upon arrival, you can truly beat jetlag and it will be as if you were there all along and you can hit the ground running!

Step 2: If you must sleep, come prepared

Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready!

To piggyback off of step one, if it is indeed more advantageous to sleep during the flight then do it right. Although some airlines provide earplugs and flimsy eyemasks but they typically don’t get the job done. Invest in a high quality pair of noise canceling headphones or good earplugs along with a comfortable eyemask. Doing those two things alone will work wonders to help beat jetlag. TRUST ME, don’t think about it…just do it!

Step 3: Be strategic with seat selection

Beat jetlag with the right seat: The choice is yours!

I get it…not everyone can dish out the cash to scoop up a first or business class seat every time they fly (I know because I fall into the “not everyone” category as well).  But that doesn’t mean you have to just go with the first seat available either. ALWAYS inquire about a premium economy upgrade. If that’s not an option, just pay for it outright the day of travel or as departure nears. Think of it as purchasing your flight on a payment plan and that is the final deposit.

If that doesn’t work, at least try to score a window or an exit row seat. Those two are your next best options. With the window seat, there’s always potential that you won’t have a neighbor. Let’s face it, NOBODY wants the middle seat. Also, you can place your pillow against the window and not have to worry about bothering anyone. The exit row, on the other hand, typically provides greater leg room so it’s almost just as good as premium economy without the same pricepoint.

Step 4: Beat jetlag by getting drunk…on water

Key phrase in this step–ON WATER. Reading is fundamental so please don’t skim over that part! During travel, it’s easy to become dehydrated. NEWS FLASH, jetlag is actually partially due to dehydration. The pressure of the cabin alone will begin to put you at a deficit as soon as you take off. Fear not, there are ways to mitigate this. Be sure to hydrate greatly prior to travelling and then continue to down water throughout the flight.

Step 5: What’s cooler than cool–ICE COLD

If you have an early morning arrival after a long flight, no matter how much in flight sleep you may have gotten, it’s only natural to feel a bit sluggish once adrenaline wears off. When you feel like you are about to hit that wall, there is one surefire hack you can use to beat jetlag…the cold shower. In theory, taking a cold shower could be enough of a shock to the body that it mimics a natural response similar to waking up. Also, the health benefits of cold showers are tremendous, so it’s a win-win!

While this list is by no means exhaustive, following these five steps is a great headstart to beat jetlag on your next flight. Keep the list going by adding your tips to the comments!