Living Between Time Zones

Making the Most Out of Jet Lag!

By Angela Parinas

Graphic by Charlie Tran

It is a universal experience: lying awake, staring at the ceiling of your hotel room, usually hungry, mindlessly tired. Jetlag has got to be the worst side effect of travel—at least for me. I couldn’t begin to explain the frustration of spending hours on end awake, nothing to do, not even sleep! Meanwhile the lively hours meant for touring, eating, and walking are tainted by the sleepiness that hits you at the most inconvenient times. Over winter break I traveled with my family and, once again, was stricken by the curse of jet lag. But this time, I thought, why waste so much time—so many extra hours I’ve begged for whenever exams loom. I got to thinking, there’s so much you can do with this gift of jet lag. For one, you could take melatonin. Or, you could…

Learn calisthenics!

Well maybe not calisthenics, but you could definitely use the time to work out, move your body, and give your mind something else to focus on besides the ceiling. Many hotels include 24-hour gyms that often go unused because of fatigue. In case your hotel doesn’t include a gym, there are still plenty of  “at home” workouts you can find online! A towel can always become a yoga mat, and—for those of you who remember quarantine and Chloe Ting—a 10-minute HIIT video can feel as intense as a 30-minute run.

Get an early start on your tour!

Of course, much of a city’s history and landmarks can be seen during the day, but its charm and culture often comes alive at night. From Hongdae in Korea to Soho in New York, there are countless cities that never sleep. In fact, a tradition I’ve tried to keep up with my siblings every time we travel is our night walks—wandering for an hour or two to take in the lights, the streets, and the lingering pulse of the city. They’ve become my favorite parts of our family trips, and have given me a new perspective of each place we visit.

Find some late night food!

Speaking of insomnia, I couldn’t help but think of food. Some of the best eats I’ve had have been from night markets in the Philippines, the FamilyMarts in Japan, and even a 4 a.m. pizza shop in New York. There’s a reason we all love a good cupped ramen in the earliest a.m. hours, because there is a true satisfaction in those midnight snacks—or rather meals—to indulge in. Why not take it a step further, and explore the local cuisine or find some real ramen for a change?

Have a movie night!

All those shows and movies you keep adding to that “to watch” list but have never gotten to—now is the time. You’ll never have as many hours and as much boredom to focus on a new show or movie. More than that, there’s something comforting about watching a film in the quiet of your hotel room, dimly lit by the glow of the city. The world pauses—no emails, no errands, no obligations—leaving you, the characters, on your screen, with the hum of the air conditioner to relax.

Good night.

Whatever it is you choose to do with your extra time, try to make the most of it. Cherish it. You may be a tad more tired in the morning but that’s what caffeine is for—so get moving, eating, and exploring. Jet lag is more than a nuisance that keeps you from sleeping. It can be a small, unexpected gift of time—if you choose not to waste it.