8 Steps to Completely Avoiding Jetlag on Your Next International Trip Mary Zakheim September 30, 2016 International Travel, Travel Tips Jetlag. Possibly the worst part of international travel. We all know the drill: months of excited anticipation, frenzied packing, fervent planning, restless flying, and then… Boom. You lay down for a short cat nap and you wake up a week later to board the plane home. Luckily for you all, we’re travel connoisseurs who know exactly how to avoid this dreaded situation. So listen up, book those cheap international flights, and enjoy your next vacation — jetlag free. Be Timezone Savvy When Booking Flights On your way there, book an overnight flight that arrives in the morning — sleep on the plane so that when you wake up and deplane, it’s like you’re waking up for a new day! On your way back, book a flight that arrives at night — watch movies the entire time and try to stay awake so that you can get a good night’s sleep in your own bed. Set Your Watches Ahead Before Your Flight When you board the plane, set your watches to the timezone you’re headed to. This will automatically cause you to alter your behavior according to the time of your destination — when you see that it’s 3 a.m. in Sydney, it’ll remind you to get some shut-eye. Still haven’t booked your tickets for your next trip? Find cheap international flights now! Invest in a Sleep Kit Yup. Swallow your pride and get a neck pillow, eye mask, and ear plugs. Cocoon yourself with those airline blankets and you’ll never sleep more soundly — we swear. Water is Your Best Friend in the Air Flying tends to dehydrate you, so drink tons of water before, during, and after your flight to avoid the negative effects of dehydration — like feeling tired and sluggish once you land. Espresso is Your Best Friend on the Ground Okay, so you’re hydrated and on the ground… Now down a couple shots of espresso to keep you afloat! Keep Yourself Busy If you followed our first piece of advice, you now have a full day to stay awake for. This is good — if you play it right, you can dispell jetlag on the first day once and for all. Plan an itinerary that will keep you active, engaged, and on your feet for most of the day. If you don’t allow yourself to get tired, you’ll forget that you should be! Allow Yourself a Solid 12 Hours of Sleep Night has fallen and your eyes are getting droopy. This is to be expected. Our rule of thumb is that once it gets dark, you’re allowed to hit the hay. We like to go to sleep around 8 p.m. on our first night and sleep ’till 8 a.m. You’ll wake up surprisingly refreshed! Congrats, You’ve Made it! Now Go Have Fun! Booked those cheap international flights? Check. Packed your bags? Check. Now board your flights and tell us how you conquered jetlag in the comment section below! [widget id=”text-25″ container_id=”ttdWidget” container_class=”grayTheme”]