
The Role of Sleep in Travel: Overcoming Jet Lag & Fatigue
Introduction
Travelling, especially long distance flights, can be exciting but at the same time exhausting. One of the biggest challenges travellers face is the disruption of their sleep schedule, which can lead to jet lag and sleep deprivation, leaving you feeling fatigued and out of balance. Here’s why sleep matters and how you can manage these challenges to make the most of your trip.
Why Does Sleep Matter?
Good sleep helps your body heal, makes your immune system stronger, and keeps your brain working well. When you have long travels or long flights, your routine is disrupted, which can affect your sleep quality. Without enough sleep, you can feel tired, uninterested in things, easily annoyed, and have trouble getting used to the new time zones. And this is called jet lag. It's your body's way of reacting to the sudden change in routine and time.

Some tips to combat jet lag are mentioned below.
- Adjusting your sleep schedule before the trip by gradually shifting the sleep time depending on the time zone of your destination will help the body adjust before you even arrive.
- Drinking plenty of water is always a good option as it hydrates the body. At the same time, try to avoid alcohol and caffeine, as they can interfere with sleep.
- Wearing loose and comfortable clothes because comfort plays an important role in sleep. Tight and uncomfortable clothes make one feel uneasy and might affect sleep.
- While in an airplane, it’s better to carry a neck support or shoulder pillow in order to avoid discomfort and pain on the neck and shoulder, which can also be a reason for not being able to sleep.
- Using an eye mask blocks the bright light and reduces distractions.

Other than the above mentioned tips that help in combating jet lag, making sleep a priority during layovers is another approach to reducing travel fatigue. Sometimes, long flights come with long layovers, which can disrupt your sleep. If you have several hours between flights, think about reserving a room at a hotel close to the airport or a transit hotel. These accommodations are perfect for catching up on rest without straying far from your next flight. A comfortable bed for a few hours can make all the difference, giving you a chance to refresh before continuing your journey. Plus, there are platforms like Bag2Bag that make it easy to book these hotels, so you can relax and refresh without any stress.
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