1. Understanding Jet Lag
2. Benefits of Cold Showers
3. Advantages of Warm Baths
4. Additional Tips for Combating Jet Lag
Leave jet lag in the past with this easy trick.
Though getting to travel is certainly a gift, jet lag is likely an aspect everyone can live without. Luckily, there are a few hacks travelers swear by to beat jet lag that you can try too, including two that will leave you either totally refreshed or absolutely relaxed.
1. Understanding Jet Lag
First, what is jet lag? According to the Mayo Clinic, jet lag “is a temporary sleep problem that can affect anyone who quickly travels across several time zones.” It explained that by traveling through time zones on a long-haul flight, your body’s circadian rhythm is thrown out of whack, keeping you awake when you wish to be asleep and tired when you need to be awake.
Moreover, it’s not just an inconvenience. The Mayo Clinic added, “jet lag can cause daytime fatigue, an unwell feeling, trouble staying alert, and stomach problems.” Although these symptoms will typically resolve after a few days, even a short duration can wreak havoc on your travel plans. Therefore, here’s a super-easy travel hack to try next time you fly: Take a cold shower or a hot bath, depending on the time of day.
2. Benefits of Cold Showers
As WebMD explained, hopping in a cold shower can provide several benefits, including increasing your circulation, which is a quick energy boost if you arrive early in the morning and need to stay alert the rest of the day. A cold shower could also help your mood. WebMD added, “Cold water stimulates the production of noradrenaline and beta-endorphins. Electrical impulses are sent from our nerve endings to our brain when we take cold showers, and this chemical reaction may have an antidepressant effect on some individuals.”
However, exercise physiologist Zach Carter shared with The Cleveland Clinic that you may likely achieve similar benefits without taking the plunge. “Go for a 10-minute walk instead,” he suggested. “You’ll be better off.”
3. Advantages of Warm Baths
If you’re arriving at night, it’s ideal to take a warm bath, which WebMD noted can help both your body and mind unwind. It added, “getting clean before crawling under the cover will reduce the buildup of germs, dirt, sweat, and body oils that can accumulate on your bedding over time,” including those you’ve accumulated on a long-haul flight.
Furthermore, studies indicate that taking a warm bath can help us breathe more deeply, soothe muscle aches, and can even enhance emotional health. Furthermore, there’s considerable evidence showing that a bath close to bedtime can improve your sleep quality.
4. Additional Tips for Combating Jet Lag
Of course, these are not the only strategies to alleviate jet lag. Experts at the Mayo Clinic have provided helpful tips to consider. For instance, they suggest adjusting your body’s circadian rhythm to align with your new time zone. If you’re traveling west, expose yourself to light in the evening before your trip; conversely, if you’re traveling east, seek morning light to adapt to an earlier time zone. Additionally, they advise sleeping only if your flight coincides with nighttime at your destination, while resisting the urge to sleep during daytime arrivals.
Ultimately, as Carter noted, taking a walk is a practical approach to mitigate jet lag, as is ensuring you’re adequately hydrated before, during, and after a flight. A nice warm bath post-flight sounds like the perfect remedy, even after a quick journey.
