Photo by Surat Lozowick.

Traveling can bring with it some of the best life experiences a person can have, but with the exciting merriment that is travel comes long haul flights and the consequent jet lag that so often follows. Jet lag is a form of fatigue caused when we cross timezones, our body wants to keep kicking with the old schedule even when we arrive at our new destination. The best advice one can take on board (!) is to be grateful for the experience and privilege of travel. It is incredible that in less than a day we can journey from the Middle East to England or from Canada to Mexico.

Once you've got the gratitude established, here are some practical tips to make the long haul journey a little smoother and ease jet lag at the other end:

• If you are flying out late in the afternoon or evening, it is a good idea to sleep in, or ensure a full nights sleep, prior to the day of your flight. A lot of people have trouble sleeping, or getting quality sleep, while on a flight. By ensuring you a well rested prior to flying, you will better prepare you body for the journey.
  
  
• Try to get into an immediate habit of keeping with the new timezone that you enter (struggle through the day if you must) but have an early night. If you sleep when the city sleeps and rise when it rises, you'll find yourself getting used to your new time zone much sooner.
  
  
• One good way of observing the previous point is to select a flight that arrives some time in the afternoon or evening local time. This way you need only stay awake for a few hours before getting some proper down time in a real bed, which is always welcome after a long haul flight.
  
  
• Don't drink alcohol while on a long haul flight, instead, keep hydrated with water & fruit juices. Also try to limit caffeine intake while on the flight as it too can cause greater dehydration.
  
  
• Eat you meals. The hostesses will serve them on a schedule that will make sense for the destination you are arriving into. For example, if you're flying into London and arriving in the evening, the last meal you are served will be dinner. By eating your meals, you can assist in getting your body clock in shuffling on into your new timezone.

What's you top tip for avoiding jet lag? More importantly, what exciting destination were you heading for when discovering your pearl of advice?