How To Beat Jet Lag Before The Plane Leaves The Gate

Long haul flights aren’t easy. You may survive the snoring guy next to you and the kid kicking the back of your seat only to succumb to brutal jet lag that can last for days. Why is flying so hard on the body? Once you travel through two time zones, your circadian rhythms are screwed, and you start fighting against your natural body clock. Jet lag is known to hit twice as hard if your traveling from east to west. It leaves you feeling groggy, foggy, nauseous and too tired and tweaked even to sleep. The trick to minimizing its effects and painlessly adjusting to your new time zone is having a plan in place before you fly. Wheels up!

Pre-flight Check List:

Hydrate and eat healthy a few days before your flight and once on board as well. Lay off the salt. It can lead to swelling in flight.
Adjust to your destination’s time zone as much as possible before you go. Start moving up or backing up your bedtime a few nights before. The rule is one hour for every time zone.
For long flights, a comfortable travel pillow and an eye mask can be heaven sent. You can also break out the Fly Legs Up Hammock. It attaches to your tray table creating a sling for your feet and legs that can be positioned different ways with inflatable pillows. You make the most of your space while reducing back pain and leg swelling.
The newest generation of noise-canceling headphones are wireless and can sync with an app on your phone. These Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Smart Headphones II will block out the roar of the engine and the screaming baby across the aisle. Turn up some peaceful sleeping sounds, kick back and relax.
Once on board, set yourself up for a successful sleep. Maybe that means drugging yourself; frequent flyers prefer taking a sleeping pill. But taking something too strong or too early may leave you feeling like your skidding off the runway. Even a natural sleep aid like Melatonin should be tried at home first.
Upon arrival, you'll want to clean up with these TSA sizes approved samples from Grooming Lounge. Scents like lavender and peppermint are known to ease stress and sleeplessness. You’ll feel refreshed and reenergized while lathering up with peppermint scented The Best Shampoo. Or go, first class, while rehydrating and soothing your tired face with lavender infused, Grooming Lounge Best For Last After Shave.

This article was written and appeared on . Grooming Lounge and our Founder, Mike Gilman, were quoted a lot, so we borrowed the article. Giving them credit -- hope it's OK.