FERNWOOD FITNESS - PULSE eMagazine - Issue#15 - Flipbook - Page 38
SLEEP
SIMPLE TIPS FOR
Smoother
Travel
BY SLEEP HEALTH FOUNDATION
We’ve all been
there, stumbling
bleary-eyed
through a new
city, wide awake at
3am, or nodding
off in the middle
of the day.
Jet lag can put a real
dampener on your travel
plans, whether you’re
昀氀ying for business or
pleasure. Luckily, there
are some simple, sciencebacked strategies to help
your body clock catch
up and make the most of
your trip.
Short Trip? Stick to
Home Time
If you’re away for just a
day or two, it’s often best
not to bother adjusting at
all. Try to keep your body
on “home time” — eat
when you’d usually eat,
sleep when you’d usually
sleep, and avoid going
outdoors when it’s dark
back home. This approach
helps minimise confusion
for your internal clock and
saves you the struggle of
adjusting only to have to
switch back again when
you return.
Longer Stay? Adjust Early
For trips lasting more
than a couple of days,
start switching to your
destination’s time zone
as soon as you can —
even while you’re on the
plane. Set your watch
to local time, and try to
eat and sleep according
to your new schedule.
The earlier you begin the
adjustment, the faster
your body will adapt
once you land.
Give Yourself a Few Days
Be patient with yourself.
Even seasoned travellers
need time to recover. It
usually takes around two
to three days for your
body to fully adjust to a
new time zone. Expect a
“slump time” (that mid-
