How to Jet Set without Jet Lag

If you are someone who travels often and far, you know that hopping on a plane from Paris to New York and back doesn’t always put you in your best working mode for important meetings. And if you travel for vacation on a long-haul flight, it is not pleasant to arrive exhausted and tired.

Although the effects of jet lag are usually short-term, the irregular sleep patterns, feeling of fatigue and difficulty concentrating are, though, deeply unpleasant.

Fortunately, traveling by private jet and preparing in advance can ease most symptoms and speed up recovery. We have compiled some useful tips to adopt before, during, and after your flight to help make devastating jetlag a thing of the past.

What is Jetlag?

Jet lag occurs when our internal body clock is confused, and its symptoms can range from disturbed or lack of sleep, to daytime fatigue, headaches, and difficulty maintaining your daily activities. It affects most travellers who cross multiple time zones and disturbs hunger, mood, and blood pressure. That is because light, the main signal that helps us to regulate the pattern of our day and our daily needs, is suddenly disrupted. 
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While it is impossible to avoid some effects and consequences of traveling to different time zones, it is entirely possible—and easy—to limit most of the negative effects of jet lag. 
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However, keep in mind that flying on a private jet instead of a commercial airline, already decreases your chances of experiencing a tough jet lag.
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Following we listed some tips on how to avoid Jet Lag and travel fatigue:

Before Departure: Pre-flight Preperation

Start adjusting your body’s natural clock to the time zone at your destination a few days before your departure. By regulating your sleep schedule, you will ease the negative consequences of disrupting your sleep cycle. For example—if you travel west, go to bed one or two hours later than usual; if you travel east, go to bed earlier than usual.
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Make sure you’re well hydrated before boarding the aircraft. Drink plenty of water and limit your intake of coffee and alcohol, as they will disturb your sleep on board. 
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Avoid potential stomach issues due to jet lag, by eating smaller meals before your trip. 
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If you struggle with naturally shifting your sleep pattern, ask your doctor about sleeping aids to take before, during, and after your flight.
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Ideally, leave yourself enough time to adjust and recover from travel fatigue before important meetings or events and ease any stress by pre-planning your itinerary.

Onboard: Get Yourself Adjusted

Once you’re on board, there are several things you could do to fight the effects of jet lag:
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You should avoid alcohol and caffeine as they disrupt your sleep cycle. Use caffeine only to stay awake strategically and ease into the time zone of your destination. You should drink plenty of water before, during, and after your flight. Hydration is key to avoiding the symptoms of jet lag and the headaches and fatigue that come with it. 
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Eat well on your plane: fresh, delicious and well digestible meals can be ordered in advanced and will help you ease or even avoid any digestive discomfort. Cielo Aviation’s onboard dining options are numerous: whether you bring your favourite treats onboard, order from a preferred local restaurant that delivers to your FBO or ask us to plan something special: A fresh, healthy meal will enhance your experience and make you feel comfortable.
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It is important to create your ideal comfort zone: avoid phones or laptop screens when you want to sleep and help yourself with earplugs or eye-masks. By flying privately with Cielo Aviation, you can enjoy the comfort of reclining seats, beds and experience a quiet and intimate flight.
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While onboard, if you feel restless and cannot sleep, it is better to keep active and move around the cabin or stretch regularly.

On Arrival: Speed Recovery

Even if you feel tired, try to avoid sleeping during the day. However, if necessary, taking a short power nap before resuming the local time routine won’t do any harm.
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Keep avoiding alcohol when you arrive at your destination, and you should drink coffee strategically to adjust.
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Exercise is a great way to naturally relieve the effects of jet lag and realign your body clock. If you travel west to east, exercise in the early morning or early afternoon, whereas when traveling east to west, it's best to exercise in the evening. 
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Light is crucial to your internal clock, as your circadian rhythm is tied to the rising and setting of the sun. However, we have to time it right to benefit and not accidentally delay our adaptation:
➡️ When travelling eastbound, aim to get light exposure between mid-morning and early afternoon in your new time zone. The more timezones that you cross, the later this time-frame moves: e.g. if you cross three timezones, the best time to seek light is between 8 am and 2 pm local time. Move this one hour later for every further timezone.➡️ After westbound travel, try to seek light later in the day as this will support staying awake. If traveling three timezones west, the best time to get light is between 5 and 11 pm local time – for every extra timezone, move this window earlier by one hour.﻿
Melatonin is a sleep hormone and a sleeping aid that can be extremely helpful with jetlag. Introducing this hormone before and during your trip can help you adjust to different time zones more easily.
 Lastly, try to eat and sleep according to the local time at your destination, instead of what your body seems to require. This will help your body clock adjust to the new time zone before you even land.

Travel relaxed with Cielo Aviation

Flying with private jets can certainly reduce jet lag.  
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Private jet cabins are pressurized to a lower altitude than commercial aircraft, so that effects of fatigue and dehydration are felt significantly less. You will experience fewer noise and stress and most modern private planes feature high-tech lighting and comfortable beds which will help you relax during your flight.
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When you travel with Cielo Aviation, you have more flexibility on schedules: we will help you book the ideal flight according to your needs so that you won’t suffer the worst effects of jet lag. We will help you maximize your sleep in a peaceful and quiet environment. Bespoke meal options and entertainment will help you stay refreshed and relaxed.
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Our in-house, 24/7 Flight Support is here to support you and will arrange every detail of your journey. Contact us on +39 02 87 157 524, by e-mail at charter@cielo-aviation.com or simply use our online booking form, we will get back to you as soon as possible: