Jennifer’s Path was recently quoted on Newsreports.com.  Read the full article here!

Travel fatigue can often turn an exciting journey into an exhausting ordeal, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Insights from a content creator and CEO and a psychology consultant reveal expert strategies to help you stay energized on long trips. You’ll discover a range of advice, beginning with balancing rest with adventure and concluding with the importance of prioritizing yourself during long trips. Read on to explore fourteen invaluable insights that will transform your travel experience.

Stay Hydrated and Eat Well

I have a unique perspective on this, as a physician, world traveler, and travel advisor. The first problem to address here is jet lag and the avoidance thereof!

There is much debate in the industry over whether you should stay awake or sleep on flights between time zones. Many pros believe that you should attempt to alter your sleep schedule to fit that of your destination, often staying awake on long flights so you’re tired upon arrival. I disagree with this—I always try to sleep on long-haul flights.

First and foremost, if I had to give ONE piece of advice, stay hydrated! I have responded to several in-flight emergencies in which passengers were dehydrated. Many people avoid drinking water so they don’t have to get up and go to the restroom in flight. Don’t want a pathologist to start an IV in-flight (trust me, you don’t)? Get over it! If you stay well-hydrated, you will feel better and feel more well-rested upon arrival. To assist in staying hydrated, avoid alcohol and caffeine.

While airline food may not be the best, you still need to eat. In addition, I recommend packing high-energy snacks to supplement the sometimes meager options, such as trail mix, protein bars, and beef jerky.

I always take a baby aspirin before flying and try to walk around at least once every three hours or so to minimize the risk of deep vein thromboses. Talk to your doctor to see if this is a good idea for you—not everyone should take aspirin, so be sure to check first!

I recommend stocking up on melatonin, a supplement which mimics the naturally occurring “sleep hormone” produced in the body and responsible for circadian rhythms. Once you arrive at your destination, take melatonin as directed to help your body adjust to the new time zone quicker.

Once you are at your destination, do something active that does not require a lot of thought. A day at the museum is a terrible idea when you are tired and confused from the time change! Have a cup of coffee and do a two-to-three-hour walking tour of the city, take a run, go for a swim, or pump some iron at the hotel gym.

These tips will help you hit the ground running and maximize your time on vacation!

Jennifer Do
Travel Agent, Travel Blogger, and Travel Writer, Jennifer’s Path