Flights are the gateway to many Britons’ overseas holiday experience – yet some struggle with the journey to their dream destination. Long haul flights in particular can prompt issues with jet lag, travel sickness and general lethargy. Yet travellers can be reassured to know there are precautions and preparations they can take ahead of their trip to help improve their holiday buzz. One in particular involves keeping track of their sleeping patterns in order to be tip top.
Nutritionist Anita Bean spoke exclusively to Express.co.uk on how to have a happier holiday, and avoid tiredness and jet lag.
She said: “Gradually change your sleep routine – start going to bed and getting up an hour or so earlier or later than usual, in line with the time of your destination.
“The best way to get yourself on to the new time zone as quickly as possible is to stay up until a normal bedtime.
“Push through tiredness and avoid the urge to nap longer than an hour during the daytime as this will make your jet lag feel worse.
“Go outside. Get lots of daylight exposure, ideally in the morning (aim for a minimum of 20 minutes) – natural light will help your body clock adjust quicker.”
Therefore Britons should take care to research the time difference between the UK and their intended destination.
They can then plan their bed time back at home in order to sync with this.
Anita previously revealed to Express.co.uk one cheap drink could help combat jet lag following flights to far flung destinations such as Australia and New Zealand.
The NHS defines jet lag as “when your normal sleep pattern is disturbed after a long flight.”
It adds: “Symptoms usually improve within a few days as your body adjusts to the new time zone.”
Talking of why cherries in any form – put particular cherry juice – could help combat jet lag, she said it could prove the key to combatting excessive tiredness after touching down.
Anita said: “Jet lag occurs when your internal body clock becomes disrupted due to crossing time zones.
“The main symptoms include fatigue, insomnia, digestive problems, appetite changes and concentration and memory problems.
“Eat cherries or drink cherry juice.
“Cherries are one of the only natural sources of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate our sleep patterns.”
Anita spoke about the science behind the apparently simple solution, and said: “Research has found that drinking tart cherry juice twice a day raises the body’s level of sleep-inducing melatonin and can increase sleep time by more than 80 minutes a night.
“The extra melatonin may help your body fight jet lag and regulate its natural sleep cycle when you arrive in your new time zone.”