Jetlag affects some more than others – and whenever we travel it hits me in a big way. I struggle to adjust to my new timezone and I sleep odd hours for days afterwards.
But sometimes, that’s not such a bad thing. Sometimes, it actually works out quite well.
On our first visit to Europe together, my husband and I stayed in a stereotypical budget hotel in Paddington, London. It was the tiniest room you could imagine, with the bed taking up all but a few inches around the perimeter. Our first morning found us both lying awake at 3am, jetlagged. Wide-eyed, unable to sleep… and the excitement of being in Europe didn’t help. After a while, we decided to get up and head out for a walk (there’s nothing else to do in a room that small!), and so it was that our feet were hitting the uneven London pavements by 4am.
After I got over my hesitation at walking through Hyde Park at that hour (creepy), I admitted it was one of our better decisions.
We got to see this city as it’s rarely seen: quiet, almost empty.
We walked and walked, and took photos like these:
All that walking and marvelling made us SO hungry by the time cafes were opening for breakfast, that even a London breakfast with baked beans poured on top of everything tasted amazing.
I must admit that it wasn’t until later that day, when I saw London in all its busyness, that I realised how special that morning walk was. Seeing a city of this magnitude almost empty is a bit magical… and very eerie at the same time.
So the next time you’re on holiday and find yourself awake at strange hours – head out and see the sights as most never get to experience them. It might just be one of the best things you do.
Megan Blandford juggles two work-from-home careers (freelance writer and HR consultant) with her biggest role – mum to a gorgeous and hilarious daughter. In between, she likes to travel at any given opportunity and also writes a successful personal blog, Writing Out Loud. Megan lives in the hills on the outskirts of Melbourne with her husband, daughter and a crazy labrador.
When has jetlag worked for you? How have you coped in the past?
Top Comments
I recently travelled to Disneyland with my two young sons. Jetlag was a gift. I kept the boys on Australian time and visited Disneyland at night. No lines at the children's rides, and the boys had the benefit of enjoying the nightly fireworks without me dealing with overtired tantrums the next day.
http://www.bubsonthemove.com
We had 2 rooms at the hotel for us and our 2 kids in Anaheim and my 11 year old has filmed us sleeping and my 8year old watching American cable tv in the middle of the day. Fortunately she didn't repeat that when we snoozed after arriving in NYC. Both times we went for a good walk and had no problems sleeping the first night.
I think it's all about making yourselves physically tired isn't it, so you fall asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow.