Flight jet lag affects many travellers, often cropping up following a significant time change to long haul destinations. Whether on the outbound journeys prior to the start of holiday fun, or on the return leg, when travellers are full of vacation vibes, it can be depilitating for some. The NHS describes jet lag as “ when your normal sleep pattern is disturbed after a long flight.” It flags symptoms including poor sleep quality, tiredness and exhaustion and difficulty sleeping at bed time.
John, an actor who has homes in the US, US and across the globe, regularly commutes from a variety of destinations.
This was particularly evident when the 52 year old headed Down Under to Australia for ITV series, I’m A Celeb, last year.
John, who is working with TUI UK on helping travellers secure their best holiday feeling, spoke exclusively to Express.co.uk on how to tackle jet lag head on.
He said: “When I travel from the UK what I normally do is I get on the plane, I have my meal and then I usually try to sleep. That generally works.
“When I was flying to Australia because the flight leaves LA at 11pm, you are basically getting on the plane the first few hours you have your dinner and watch a movie then after four hours the we go to sleep.
“Then you can sleep for the rest of the next 10 hours. You’re waking up it’s 6am when you land – although you have lost a day, because time jumps forward, you are still landing at 6am so you still have a good night’s sleep.
“It’s important when you get on a plane you start to get onto the schedule of where you are going, if that makes sense.
“Everyone says take melatonin, go drink coffee, but for me just be normal.
“Do what you want to do and when you get their it’s you’re holiday – you are not going to be tired.
“You are going to have that holiday feeling spewing out of your mouth and say ‘I am going on holiday!’.”
John, who with husband Scott recently visited the Dominican Republic on a “priceless” holiday, also told of the benefits to kicking back and relaxing in an all inclusive.
He added: “They [the resort] took care of everything and that to me is worth is worth every single penny.”
The NHS website added further advice for travellers suffering from jet lag.
It stated: “Sleeping tablets may be helpful if you’re having problems sleeping (insomnia).
“They can be addictive so should only be used for a short time and if symptoms are severe.
“Melatonin is a chemical released by the body in the evening to let your brain know it’s time to sleep.
“Melatonin supplements aren’t recommended for jet lag because there isn’t enough evidence that they work.
