How to Beat Jet Lag
You just landed in Europe!!!
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The thrill of international travel (especially your first trans-atlantic flight) will usually carry you about 30 minutes away from the airport. At this point, all the beautiful architecture in the world will not be able to distract you from the fact that, at best, you have had a couple hours of moderate rest and a mediocre plane meal to fuel you.
Jet lag is real, but time is valuable when you travel, so you want to make the most of the hours spent waiting for your body to adjust. In addition to the physical adjustment your body is making, you will also be making major mental adjustments to the new surroundings you have landed in. Everything looks, sounds, and smells different, and you can’t tell if your illiteracy is the product of sleep deprivation or the fact that you don’t speak Dutch. Here are a few tips to help make the transition a little easier.
Unload your luggage
I know you’re eager to get to your first exciting attraction, but do not give into the temptation of attempting to sight-see with your luggage. Suitcases were not made for cobblestones, and people WILL laugh at you. If your accommodation will allow you to drop your luggage at the time of day you arrive in the city, great! Make that your first stop, but DO NOT LINGER. I know that a quick nap seems like a good idea, but you’ll be kicking yourself when you’re staring at the ceiling at 3 AM. If you can’t drop your luggage at your accommodations yet, research to see where you can find left luggage lockers. Either the train or bus stations in most cities have these lockers, and they are usually centrally located so you can drop your bags and hit the streets!
You, once you drop off your luggage
2. Find a bakery
Europe is famous for their baked goods, and it is a great way to jump into the culture of the city. You should be able to find one on just about every street corner. If the baker speaks English, ask what the local specialty is and try it out! While a croissant is delicious everyday of the week, if you’re in Denmark, get a danish! This is also a great time to caffeinate for the day ahead of you. Be aware: the “to-go cup” is an American construct completely foreign to most Europeans. If you get a coffee, expect to stand at the bar and drink it from a real cup. An espresso makes this a quicker stop if you can take the shot and are in a hurry, but for a more familiar brew, go with an americano. It will be a bit milder, and still won’t take you too long to drink. Just because it’s named after America, doesn’t mean they follow our lead on portion sizes.
3. Go to the park
Every European city has a great public park, whether it’s Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh, the Jardin Tuilleries in Paris, or the Retiro in Madrid. Getting outside will help your body adjust to the new time zone and give you a great opportunity to people-watch. If you’re keeping a travel journal (which you should), this is also a great time to make your first entry!
4. Keep moving
The key to not falling asleep is to remain upright and moving. I recommend taking a walking tour to help familiarize yourself with the basic layout of the city, as well as an introduction to its culture and history. You can find affordable and even free (except for tipping the guide) tours of many cities, but I personally enjoy the tours available through Rick Steves’ Audio Europe app. The tours give you turn by turn directions and are timed with an average walking pace so all you have to do is hit play and go! (Download them on your phone before you leave WiFi.)
5. Find a view
Close out your first day by finding a great viewpoint to watch the sunset. It will give you a chance to rest and reflect on your first day’s adventure and pat yourself on the back for remaining conscious. This is also a great opportunity for your first Instagram post of the trip. Paseo (an evening stroll) is a custom in many European countries, so don’t rush back to your accommodations. Most Europeans spend their evenings in third spaces (not #1 - Home or #2 - Work), like parks, cafes, or town squares. Enjoy your own paseo as you slip into your role as a temporary local. Trust me, your bed will be waiting for you when you get there.
