Easy tips for beating the jetlag after a long-haul flight to London

Studies have shown that it can take days to entirely get over jet lag depending on how many time zones you’ve flown through. Jet lag is the term given to that heavy tiredness we can feel after travelling on a long-haul flight. It can have a severe effect on the body, causing sickness, headaches, extreme fatigue, dehydration and irritability – not great if you’re hoping for a relaxing and exciting holiday!

Though there’s no real ‘cure’, there are some things you can do to ease the effects of jet lag. It’s best to choose to stay in a hotel nearest to a transport hub so that when you arrive at Paddington Station, hotels are all around you. After you’ve dropped off your bags at the Chilworth London Paddington Spa, here are some things you can do to combat your jet lag.

Schedule activities on day one

The number one rule for long-haul flights is: make sure you arrive in the daytime. No matter what time you left your home, you’ll more than likely have caught some shut-eye while you were on the plane. When you arrive, you’ll be wide awake, so it’s best to arrive in the day when there’s more to keep you occupied.

Before your visit, book a series of activities for your first day. Realising that you’ll probably be feeling a little worse for wear, make sure those activities are interesting but relaxing. Take it easy with an activity that’s not too strenuous, like a museum, a walking tour or an art gallery.

Evening massage

When you’ve got jet lag, your body clock is all over the place. To encourage the rest you’ll need at the right time, make sure your evening routine on the first night you stay is as relaxing as possible.

Treat yourself to an indulgent early evening meal, and choose to stay in a hotel and spa like the Chilworth London Paddington Spa with a range of massages available. Air travel can wreak havoc on the sinuses, so focus on the head, neck and face to ease the tension built up in these areas.

Get a good night’s sleep

You should be preparing for your long-haul flight days in advance to stave off jet lag. Depending on where you’re coming from, go to bed and get up an hour or so later or earlier over the course of a few days before your flight, until you’re more acclimatised to the sleeping patterns of Londoners.

Stay hydrated

Alcohol can be fantastic for getting your holiday off to a good start, but if you want to avoid jet lag, you need to avoid the liquor. Conditions on planes can cause dehydration in passengers, and it can be challenging to remain hydrated if flying for a long period of time. Be sure to carry a few water bottles with you so that you don’t experience symptoms of dehydration when you land, as these can exacerbate jet lag.