Jet lag is abysmal at best.  A bad case can hinder your business performance and ruin your overall travel plans.  Symptoms include: sleepiness during the day, insomnia in the evenings, lack of concentration, altered appetite, and general irritability.  Any of these factors individually can have a significant impact on your overall performance.  Instead of taking precautions to prepare, many dismiss jet lag because they believe it is inevitable.  However, by being mindful of the steps below, you can significantly mitigate, if not completely diminish the effects of jet lag.

       1.  Alter your sleep schedule

Three days out from your flight, begin to adjust your sleep schedule to that of the time zone you are traveling to.  This is especially important if you are traveling internationally. Once you arrive, daytime naps are alright – but make sure you keep them to 30 minutes or less to avoid being up all night.

       2.  Get Outside

Get out and soak in the sun first thing in the morning.  Sunlight has been known to affect your circadian rhythm, so subjecting yourself to as much light will inherently benefit your body and improve your sleep cycle.

       3.  Fly at night

If you frequently sleep on flights, you should schedule your longer flight during the evenings.  By doing so, you can keep your eating and sleeping schedules consistent.

       4.  Adjust Your Watch

Adjust your watch as soon as you board the aircraft. When you arrive, you will be more accustomed to the destination time zone and will acclimate much faster so you can hit the ground running.

       5.  Watch Your hydration

We recommend you drink at least 16 ounces of water prior to flying, and one liter for every hour that you are in the air.  Even if you aren’t thirsty at the time, continue to drink water.  Dehydration isn’t signified by thirst – it can kick in at any point without warning so be mindful to continuously drink water.

       6.  Move Around

Sitting in a seat for extended periods of time is not good for your body.  Try to get up and move around to keep your blood circulated.  It can also help break up your trip.

With the implementation of these minor changes, your trip will be significantly more enjoyable.  Remember – flying private maximizes your freedom ­allowing you to arrive rested, relaxed and ready to go.  Want to see what all the hype of flying private is all about?  Find out for yourself here.

This article was written by Johnny Sengelmann, co-founder and COO of Fresh Jets.  Fresh Jets aggregates private jet schedule and pricing information in real-time matching inventory to the travel needs of businesses and individuals instantly.