When traveling to Toronto aboard Cathay Pacific, it’s unfortunate that you may have to contend with the monster, jet lag. After taking some time off work, planning for a vacation, snagging elusive international flight deals, and getting onto your flight, you don’t want anything to spoil your holiday or trip.
Jet lag is a serious problem that can affect your health in some way. Dealing with and successfully getting rid of it will determine how you enjoy your trip or holiday. The good news is that you can overcome it in a few simple steps if you know what it is and how to manage it.
Here are things you need to know about jet lag and how to overcome it when traveling to Toronto.
What’s Jet Lag?
Before you know how to combat jet lag, you need to understand what it is. This term refers to a temporary sleep disorder that’s caused by traveling across time zones. So if you’re traveling from Delhi to Toronto, you may experience jet lag because those are two destinations with different time zones. Traveling across time zones interferes with a biological clock known as the circadian rhythm that tells your body when to sleep and when to wake up.
According to Siebern T. Allison, a Stanford University tutor, Cues such as mealtimes, light exposure, and social engagement regulate the circadian rhythm. Crossing time zones disrupts those cues making the internal clock to be desynchronized. Unfortunately, jet lag affects sleep and may also lead to depression, headaches, loss of appetite, confusion, irritability, and more.
Tips for Getting Rid Of Jet Lag
Overcoming jet lag may take you around six to nine days, depending on the number of time zones you cross while flying. According to Dr. Smith, head of the fatigue management team at NASA, it takes up to one day for the body to shift to one time zone.
Here are some simple hacks that can help you get rid of jet lag.
Adapt Your Body To The New Time Zone
Your attack on jet lag begins before you board your flight to Toronto. You need to work at adapting your body to the rhythm of your new time zone before you arrive there. That may require you to wake up early or wake up late, depending on where you’re traveling from. Also, you need to set your time to that of your future destination to help you mentally prepare.
Treat Your Seat As Your Bedroom
Treating your seat as your bedroom can help you avoid jet lag, especially if you’re taking a long flight. Carry beddings that can help you sleep comfortably on the plane during the flight. That may mean carrying a comfortable pillow, blanket, clothing, and face masks to block out any disturbing noise. If there are free seats, you can ask to lie down on them so that you have a comfortable sleep. Sleeping comfortably on the plane may help you quickly adjust to a new time zone.
Avoid Alcohol
Traveling is exciting, and alcohol and excitement go hand-in-hand. However, when traveling, no matter how tempting those drinks are, you want to steer clear of alcohol. Drinking that glass of wine, or a mini bottle of liquor or a cup of beer while traveling, will not only increase your fatigue, but it will also dehydrate you.
Your body needs to be optimal for combat jet lag effects like insomnia, depression, and irritability. When you drink alcohol, you reduce its ability to fight these effects. So if you want to reduce your chances of being jet-lagged, avoid alcohol in the plane. Wait till you arrive at your destination and drink as many bottles as you can.
Cut-Out Junk Foods
Though this may seem a difficult task to do, it can save you. Carb-rich and fatty foods tendto make people feel stuffed and tired. When you’re in that state, resetting your internal clock will be quite difficult. That’s why you need to eat lighter, protein-rich foods that will speed up your metabolism and keep you awake. Remember, what you put into your mouth affects your ability to sleep or staying awake. To easily avoid jet lag, you need a meal that won’t interfere with your plan of adjusting to a new time zone.
Do Some Exercises On the Plane
Exercising on the plane doesn’t have to be vigorous. You don’t have to disturb your neighbor to create more room for you or jog in between the aisles. Exercising on the plane can be as simple as standing up and moving around, stretching your legs and arms, bending your knees, touching the ground a few times, and smiling for about twenty seconds. Doing these simple activities may increase brain activity and help you avoid potential blood clots to keep your body fresh.
Drink Plenty Of Water
Having enough water in your body is crucial in fighting dehydration and fatigue that you may experience while flying. The high altitude of flights, combined with the low cabin humidity levels, can dry your throat quickly and make you thirsty. Fatigue and dehydration may lead to jet lag or worsen its effects. You, therefore, want to keep hydrated to be safe. The Aerospace Medical Association recommends drinking at least 8 ounces of water every hour as you fly.
Use Melatonin Supplements
Melatonin is a hormone found in the body that helps to control sleep patterns. Taking small amounts of melatonin supplements after arriving at your destination can help to fight jet lag. These supplements are found in various chemists around the world.
Though melatonin supplements can reduce the effects of jet lag, some people don’t advocate for its usage. That’s because it may cause some allergic reactions or uncomfortable side-effects such as nausea and drowsiness. Therefore, before you consider using these meds, consult your doctor or chemist about its effects.
The Bottom-line
Traveling is a fun experience that most people would want to engage in. However, as you plan your journey to Toronto, ensure you also plan how to combat jet lag because it may mess your vacation or trip. Using these simple hacks can help you avoid or reduce the effects of jet lag.