A new study has revealed surprising insights into how severely jet lag impacts UK travellers – and the hacks they use to overcome it. Olivia Palamountain reports

Jet lag anxiety is casting a shadow over many Britons’ travel plans says research by Yotel. The survey found that nearly a third (32%) of Brits have avoided long-haul destinations due to concerns about jet lag.

This travel hesitation comes despite 44% of respondents admitting they would push through jet lag symptoms to avoid missing out on experiences abroad.

Perhaps most strikingly, the research revealed that more than a quarter (27%) of working Britons have called in sick to recover from jet lag after long-haul travel. London and Leeds emerged as the cities where employees are most likely to take a ‘jet lag sickie’.

The study also highlighted a gender disparity in handling jet lag at work, with 36% of men more likely to call in sick compared to 27% of women. Moreover, over half (52%) of respondents believe their colleagues lack sympathy for jet lag’s impact on work performance.

Jet lag symptoms reported by travellers include exhaustion (25%), headaches (21%), trouble concentrating (15%), and nausea (10%). To combat these effects, some Brits have adopted unconventional methods, including wearing sunglasses indoors (7%), playing loud music (12%), and donning compression socks (18%).

In response to these findings, Yotel has partnered with wellness brands to introduce innovative jet lag solutions. These include Skin Recovery Kits from Urban Jungle, FlyKitt Rescue supplements by Fount, and a specially curated menu featuring jet lag-fighting foods rich in melatonin. Prices for the jet-lag remedies start from £23.

Sleep expert Dr Charlotte Edelsten and McFly drummer Harry Judd have also weighed in, offering advice on managing jet lag. Their tips range from adjusting to destination time zones before travel to staying hydrated and prioritising sleep in the lead-up to flights.

Dr Charlotte Edelsten’s top tips for avoiding jet lag

  1. Once you board the plane, shift all your activities to match the local time of your destination. Change your watch immediately and align your meal times (even if not hungry) and sleep, light and dark schedules accordingly
  2. Stay hydrated before, during and after the flight. Flights are naturally dehydrating so sip water as much as possible
  3. Try to book a flight that lands during the day time, get outside as soon as you land and get as much natural light as possible
  4. Don’t take a nap upon arrival, this will help your body adjust more quickly to the new time zone and will aid in resetting your internal clock. Napping will reduce your sleep pressure, which we need to be as high as possible to ensure good sleep initiation and maintenance.
  5. Try to prioritise your sleep in the weeks and days leading up to your flight, going into travel well rested will help lessen the impact of jet lag.

This research sheds light on an often-overlooked aspect of holiday planning. With a third of travellers reporting that jet lag negatively impacts their ability to enjoy trips upon arrival, the hospitality industry’s focus on combating travel fatigue could not be more timely.