RESEARCH by Qantas has found that passengers who get jet lag have themselves to blame.
The study revealed that all of the causes for jet lag can be controlled by the passenger.
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After surveying 500 passengers on long-haul flights, they found that the common reasons being jet lag are passenger behaviours and bad travel habits, according to New Zealand Herald.
The study was conducted with the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre to look at the effects of jet lag on the body.
Specialist sleep researcher Dr Yu Sun Bin told the The West Australian that being outside in direct sunlight is one of the best ways to get over jet lag, but just “47 per cent of passengers made the effort to do it”.
Further research is to be conducted on Qantas’ longest direct flight in the world – taking place today from New York to Sydney.
The 20-hour flight will be monitored in what it called Project Sunrise, looking at sleep and behaviour of passengers on board.
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Thankfully, there are ways to avoid falling victim to the effects of jet-lag.
Over the years, experts, flight crew and frequent travellers have all shared their tips on how to stay feeling fresh.
We reveal the best ways to stop the dreaded jet-lag.
Avoid alcohol
While not very exciting, drinking the free booze on a flight can have the worst affect on the body when changing time zones.
This is because alcohol dehydrates the body.
With the cabin also dehydrating, it means you’ll need much more water than you realise to avoid any tiredness or headaches.
However, BA boss Willie Walsh thinks the opposite – and credits a few glasses of red wine as the way to avoid it.
PLANE AND SIMPLE What is jet lag and how long does it last?
Choose the best seat to sleep
Sleeping on a plane is the best way to get into the right time zone.
Choosing the correct seat can make all of the different.
Sleep expert Dr Breus explained that a window seat is the best option as you can “control your exposure to light”.
He also added that, for people who sleep on a certain side of the bed, you should choose that side of the plane, so the left or right side in the cabin.
For one frequent flyer, he says taking a three-hour nap as soon as you arrive is the key to overcoming it.
Change your eating habits
Getting into the right times of the destination can make a huge difference to feeling better – even when it comes to meal times.
Experts have found that by eating your food at the time of the country you’re travelling to the day before, the body can shift its internal clock.
For example, you should have dinner five hours earlier if returning from the US.
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce added that light meals are a better option to avoid overloading the digestive tract during a flight.
Go for a run
A study by The Journal of Physiology found that physical movement can help regulate the body.
The research found that exercising at certain times of the day can advance or delay the body clock, meaning it can help sync to the correct time of the destination.
It is also best done outside, as the nerve cells in the brain analyse the amount of light to “tell” brains to release the sleep hormone melatonin.
Top 10 ways Brits beat jet lag
1. Force yourself to stay awake until bedtime when you get home
2. Sleep as much as possible on the flight
3. Walk around on the plane
4. Avoid alcohol on the plane
5. Drink more water than usual on the plane, and following the flight
6. Make sure to stay in general good physical fitness before travel
7. Avoid caffeine on the plane
8. Do exercises on the plane
9. Keep your watch set to your home/normal time when on holiday
10. Avoid alcohol when you get home
Wear comfy clothing
Choosing loose and soft clothing is the best way to feel comfortable and avoid the dreaded jet lag.
Having layers of clothes, which can be added or removed depending on the cabin temperature, as well as cottons to avoid sweating.
Some go one step further – and opt for pyjamas.
Alan added: “You can always spot our most frequent flyers – they’re the ones who’ve changed into their PJs before the aircraft has pushed back from the gate.”
The Queen is said to tackle jet lag by eating barley sugar, often in the form of a sweet.
Flight attendant Kara added that changing your watch to the local time as soon as you board if the best way to avoid feeling unwell.
An airline launched an app which works with AI to help you fall asleep during the flight.
