The Jet Lag is Real...How Do I Deal With It?

If you want to travel the world you will probably have to deal with jet lag at some point.

Music during the video:

"Watch It Glow" by Silent Partner

Gabriel is a traveler, outdoors enthusiast and travel writer who has been adventuring around the world since his first trip to Europe in the summer of 1990 when he was 18 years old. He is author of "Following My Thumb", "Gabe's Guide to Budget Travel" and several other books.

[travels]

I think the title is funny. JET LAG is an understatement!! Cause u never stop travelling! Ud be jet lagged more then most . And u managed to stay healthy. BLESS YOU !!

[TheSubham]

I would soldier through the day by not sleeping, and sleep at 11pm.. works for me!

[unknown-user]

The best way to deal with jet lag is to suck it up the first day and not sleep at all and get on the local sleeping time the following night. Yes, you just skip a day of sleep.

[chrisb]

Everyone is different, but for me the only remedy for jetlag is time. Best thing to do is not fight it (that just stresses you out) and just gradually adjust to your normal patterns.

[digvintage]

Jet lag is horribel! I used to work regular night shifts in a biscuit factory. Three nights on, one night off, another three nights, then a whole week off. I found the best way to deal with the sleep disruption was to not sleep at all during the daytime on the last day of the shift. Be as active as possible and try to stay awake until around 9-10pm. Avoid coffee and alcohol and limit screen time in the evening. Good luck with getting back into your normal routine!

[kellyja]

I also find it very hard to sleep on overnight flights, but here are some strategies that sometimes work:
1. Don't drink on the flight (difficult since alcohol is usually free!)
2. Get some exercise before the flight.
3. Melatonin tablets or tea (just ask for hot water). I find that they usually DO NOT have decaf tea, so bring your own.
4. Take of shoes and make fists with your toes (got this tip from the modern classic "Die Hard")

[letsexploreandtravelonadis]

Jet lag is easy to overcome. Most flights from North America are overnight to Europe. All you need to do is to stay awake during day when you arrive in Europe. For you first night, you may need to sleep a few hours earlier than normal. Then you make smaller sleep adjustments the following days.

[StaceyRomberg]

I think you have to force yourself to get on proper time. Overnight flight. Arrive in the morning. I always book a massage sometime that day. It helps my body adjust. And, no matter how tired I am, I force myself to stay awake until at least 8pm. I go outside, lots of sunlight, walk around, stay active.

[MattWhitingsEurope]

Jet lag is horrible. You really hit the nail on the head when you were talking about overnight flights! This video is very relevant as I flew from Miami to London last night so similar to the situation you were in. Departed Miami at 7pm and landed in London at 3am, which is 8am in the UK. I didn't get a wink of sleep on the plane as I just can't seem to get comfortable or switch off. By the time I'd arrived home it was about midday and I could barely keep my eyes open. I've tried everything over the years but I think what works best for me is to take a solid 2 hours sleep (which I've done) which is just about enough to make me functional until about midnight. Hopefully at midnight I'll be so tired I'll get about 8 hours in. Of course the problem can sometimes be that at midnight in the UK it's still 7pm in Miami so my body clock may be telling me it isn't time for bed yet. We'll see!

Looking forward to more videos from Montenegro, I'd recommend Mausoleum Petar II in Lovcen National Park, Fortress Gorazda looking down on Boka Bay, the little fishing village of Perast and the hike up to Kotor Fortress. Apologies if you've already done some of these, I've haven't caught up with your recent Montenegro videos yet.

[Dutchgo]

Got back from Bali to Seattle recently. Had worst ever jet lag for at least ten days.

[papageorgepogliano]

This subject hit home. For many years I was a lover of international travel and did a lot. However, when I hit about my late 50's in age my vitality would not hold up enough to really call the whole experience worthwhile. Nothing is fun and exciting without physical vitality. The facts might be depressing but age catches up with us. No answer for that one.

[wilfredotorres]

Hi Gabriel, I am betting you didn't feel it as much when you were younger and just started traveling the thing I find with traveling is a stimulus of excitement and anticipation of going somewhere different seeing things from a distinct perspective. Traveling creates different stresses, long flights can wear you down, body and mind adjust until you have finally caught up. You had that same issue when you went to Australia for several days and got little sleep.

[turtletalk]

Sleeping 8-9 straight is a dream for me. I have 2 kids now and i sleep deprivation for like 2.5 years. Its hard

[travelvideos]

It is easier to fly West than East. I normally eat breakfast, then flight and after landing it is time for dinner. Easy, almost no jetlag. Flying East is harder, because usually those are unavoidable overnight flights. So, a good dinner, and when arrived good breakfast and I will not sleep that day. So, that will be hard day, but sleeping will just mess up clock again. I think having meals at regular times also helps.

[johnknox]

hang in there Gabriel...youve been traveling a long time with tons of experience...you got this

[dennisspackman]

I often find myself travelling to places more or less half way around the world. If it’s daytime when I arrive I force myself to stay awake until bedtime at the new location. Within a day or two at most I have adjusted. Anyhow this normally works for me.

[jasontheworldisyours]

My biggest problem is overnight flights land in the morning and I can not check into my hotel until 3pm

[paulharnad]

I always try and stay on my regular schedule . Sometimes it works .

[ValentinaMitchell]

It’s hard when you have overnight flights and then don’t sleep on them, the next day is hard. I just always try to stay up the next day as hard as it is. Sometimes, a bit a food like cereal or a bun/bread helps me fall asleep if up early.

[tc]

Worst jet lag ever was - Tirana - Munich - Warsaw - Istanbul - BKK least 10 days to recover in a nice A/C apartment