Sleep Pittsburgh Corporate

Summertime travels and adventures near and far means we’ve been playing hard. But playing hard means we also must get our rest, and vacationing can interrupt our normal sleep patterns. Add in a dose of jet lag and you’ve got a problem.

 

Here’s some tips to helping your body adjust so that you can enjoy those end-of-summer travels:

 

Before you Travel

 

When booking flights, try to secure an overnight flight to keep your sleep cycle as close to normal as possible. That way you’ll be able to enjoy a light meal before boarding—with no caffeine—and then be more likely to fall asleep on the plane. Also, a few days before traveling, try to adjust your bedtime to prepare for any changes in time zone. For example, wake up and go to bed earlier for an eastbound trip.

 

Set your Watch to the time of your Destination

 

As soon as you board the plane, adjust your watch and your eating and sleeping per your destination’s timing (not your current timing). Start thinking in terms of the new time zone. Don’t say to yourself, “If I were back home, it would be this time.” Mentally get yourself in the right time zone and the rest will follow.

 

If you’re due to arrive at your destination in the morning time, do your best to sleep on the plane so you’ll be well rested when you get there.

 

Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water and limit alcohol consumption as higher altitudes quicken the effects and can also be dehydrating.

 

For Driving Trips

 

Plan your travel around meals and sleep that best mimics your usual schedule—especially where children are involved. Pack plenty of healthy snacks and soft pillows or neck pillows for passengers so you can get a little shut eye en route.

 

After You Arrive

 

It’s tempting when you arrive to stay up late, especially if it’s at night in a new time zone and you aren’t sleepy, but don’t. Adjust the curtains or blinds and remove any disturbances such as a wall clock that ticks loudly.

 

Likewise, if you arrive in the morning or afternoon, don’t take a nap. Get onto the schedule at your destination as soon as possible to ease jet lag. Otherwise, your nighttime sleeping will be disrupted and you’ll find yourself lying awake in the middle of the night—and tired the next day.

 

Schedule a wake-up call if you’re concerned about over-sleeping the next day.

 

Keep busy outside during the next day. Sunlight and physical activity will help your brain adjust to the new time zone.