Should I nap with jet lag?

If you need it, taking a short nap can help you stay awake during the day. But napping for more than 30 minutes can keep you from falling asleep at night. Try to stay awake until your normal bedtime and get up on time the next day.



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Common ways pilots avoid jetlag is staying hydrated, good rest, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, exercising, or sleeping on the airplane. For long-haul flights airlines use multiple pilots for the flight to allow each pilot to get some rest. The more time zones that are crossed, the worse the jet lag.

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It is widely acknowledged that jet lag is worse when travelling east, but this has nothing to do with the direction of Earth's rotation. Like many creatures, humans have a circadian rhythm that follows a 24-hour period and is kept in sync by the eyes' response to natural light levels over the day.

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Most people find that jet lag is worse when traveling east than it is when traveling west. View Source . Jet lag differs based on the direction of travel because it's generally easier to delay your internal clock than advance it. Jet lag does not occur on north-south flights that do not cross multiple time zones.

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Jet lag symptoms usually occur within a day or two after traveling across at least two time zones. Symptoms are likely to be worse or last longer the farther you travel. This is especially true if you fly east. It usually takes about a day to recover for each time zone crossed.

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Unlike travelers who experience jet lag (a temporary disruption of the body's internal biological clock due to travel across time zones), shift workers—employees who work regular shifts at night or alternate among different shifts—experience longer-term disruptions that carry social as well as physiological ...

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Adjustment to a new time zone is harder when traveling east than traveling west. This is because you “lose” time and you end up trying to fall asleep when your body is actually waking up.

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Is there anything you can do to avoid jet lag?
  1. Start adjusting light exposure before your trip to decrease the length of time you will feel jet lagged. ...
  2. Consider taking melatonin supplements if you're traveling east. ...
  3. Time your flight. ...
  4. Try to sleep during your flight. ...
  5. Avoid long layovers in extra time zones if you can.


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A few basic steps may help prevent jet lag or reduce its effects:
  • Arrive early. ...
  • Get plenty of rest before your trip. ...
  • Gradually adjust your schedule before you leave. ...
  • Properly time bright light exposure. ...
  • Stay on your new schedule. ...
  • Stay hydrated. ...
  • Try to sleep on the plane if it's nighttime at your destination.


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How long jet lag lasts will depend on several factors. These include how far you traveled, your body's unique rhythms and your overall health. Many people who experience jet lag feel better a few days after arriving to their destination. For some people, it can take up to one week to feel fully back to themselves.

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According to experts, not eating while you fly can actually help to reduce jet lag. (And that's not the only thing your flight attendant won't tell you.) Turns out, traveling on a plane can do a lot of bad things to your body—including shutting your digestive system down once you reach a high altitude.

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Some people withstand jet lag better than others — possibly because they may be more sensitive to light, they're simply better at falling asleep, or they're just more tolerant of discomfort.

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