Flight attendants, like pilots, work in a profession that takes them across many time zones each week—sometimes multiple times a day. When you combine that with long hours and unpredictable sleep habits, you’ll wonder how these travel pros appear to deal with jet lag while customers experience exhaustion and sleeplessness practically immediately.
First, we need to define what “jet lag” is. When traveling across numerous time zones quickly, the body’s internal clock, or circadian rhythm, is interrupted. The body struggles to adjust its internal clock (or your typical habit) to the new local time. There is no correct or incorrect approach to adjust to your new time zone. Everyone’s physique is unique. It may require some trial and error to determine what works best for you.
Keep your eyes open before your flight.
As a former flight attendant, I can report that coping with jet lag was simple for me. I was frequently exhausted, but that aided me. On a typical day, I flew one to three trips, one of which being a cross-country journey. My daily routine put me on duty for over 10 hours. I was exhausted by the time I arrived in another time zone. That sleep following arrival, or overnight rest in certain situations, restored my internal clock quickly.
As a business and pleasure traveler, I have the luxury of napping (rather than working the journey), so I arrive rested, but jet lag is still a few hours behind me. Staying awake during your journey can help you feel exhausted upon arrival, allowing you to go straight to bed once you get at your destination. Set an alarm and nap if you come earlier in the day. Wake up, enjoy the remainder of your day, and you should be weary enough to sleep that evening, allowing your body clock to properly adjust to the current time zone.
Purchase some coffee and bananas.
When I questioned a group of flight attendants about their jet lag treatments, the overwhelming reaction was, “Coffee!” Caffeine offers them a rush of energy and jolts them awake, allowing them to continue working or go outside in their new time zone. Because of his position, Angelo Bedford, a flight attendant located in Honolulu, travels through multiple time zones virtually every work trip. Bedford says the beach soothes and rejuvenates him while he’s at home in Hawaii. But during a short stopover, he relies on “lots of water, sleep, and then coffee!”
Phil Rodriguez, a former flight attendant turned corporate airline employee, recommends eating a banana instead of drinking coffee. It’s loaded with vitamins and natural sugars that will wake you up in minutes. It’ll keep you going for hours and won’t make you collapse like coffee or caffeine.”
Get outside and engage in some physical activity.
Michella Marquez, a flight attendant located in California, says she adjusts by “getting outside and walking.” She claims that exercise is one strategy to keep your body active while adjusting to your new daylight hours and also to sleep. “However, as flight attendants, we don’t always have the time to do everything.” Our layovers may be brief. Sometimes we just have to put up with it.”
Limit yourself to one time zone.
Many crew members play “make-believe” with their time zones to preserve a feeling of regularity. “[You’re] basically making a conscious decision to either live by the new time zone or the one you departed from,” explains Seattle-based flight attendant Tamford Westeel. However, there is no in-between.”
She isn’t alone. Because their stopover is so short—anywhere from 12 to 24 hours—some flight attendants don’t even bother to acclimatize to the new time zone. They just eat, rest, and board the plane to return home. Many crew members don’t even alter the clock on their wristwatches to remember what time it is in their base city.
Find strong moral support if nothing else.
A solid support system and encouragement can also assist combat the impacts of time zone changes. Flight crews may have only met for the first time before boarding, but they’re all in the same boat, well, plane. They travel together because they work together; their time at a place is the same; and they must make the same sacrifices and changes to finish the job and stay healthy. Crews organize meals and outings at the location together so that they may encourage one another to stay to a schedule and adjust.
For frequent travelers, plan an itinerary that allows you and your travel companions to acclimate to the new time zone at your own speed. And remember to keep to it. When it comes to jet lag, friends don’t let pals sleep in!
When everything else fails, just ride through the temporal change as best you can. Jet lag will gradually go off and your body will adjust. It generally occurs soon before your return journey home, when you get to do it all over again.