How to Adjust to a New Time Zone

Whether you’re moving for work, school or pleasure, adjusting to a new time zone can be challenging. Being prepared will make settling in much easier!

By the time your move approaches, there’s a good chance that you’ve already spent months preparing paperwork, hiring a professional moving company and scoping out your new area. With all these to-dos, the thought of adjusting to a new time zone might slip your mind. Don’t let it! Use our tips below to streamline the transition.

Before the Flight

You can start making a number of long-term adjustments before your move—starting these early will make the days immediately after your move easier. We recommend:

1. Slowly adapt to your new sleep schedule. A month before you leave, you should start reorienting your sleeping schedule to match your destination’s time zone. This can be tough. We recommend going to bed 15 minutes earlier each day and continuing to shave down your bedtime until you’ve fully adjusted. By doing so, your body will have the energy it needs to start moving in and jumping into a new routine once you arrive.
2. Rest for three days before you leave. To feel fully rested after your trip, make sure you do most of your resting before departure. Keep activities to a minimum for three full days before you leave. It is crucial that you complete as much packing as possible well before you leave—do not leave any moving tasks for the last minute!
3. Cut back on alcohol, caffeine and sugar. These substances don’t just keep you awake; they make it harder for your body to adjust to its circadian rhythm. They put added stress on your body, which means you’ll feel exhausted when you arrive. It is also best to avoid heavy meals the day before your flight. Your body uses heavy meals as part of its circadian rhythm. If you avoid eating them until after you arrive, you’ll adjust more quickly!
4. Drink plenty of water. A hydrated body adapts to a new sleep schedule more quickly. Make sure you drink about eight cups of water daily during the week preceding your relocation. Your body needs to get used to feeling hydrated. A single glass of water before your flight won’t help you fight jet lag, so be prepared.

During the Flight 

Keep your momentum going on the flight by ensuring you don’t set back any of the progress you made before boarding. You should:

1. Drink more water. Aircraft cabins have very dry air, which can dehydrate you quickly. Maintain hydration by drinking plenty of water during your flight. Remember, TSA and airport security allow empty bottles; save money by refilling your bottle once you get through the security line. 
2. Sleep when appropriate for your new time zone. If you’re arriving early in the morning, try to sleep during the flight. However, if you’re arriving in the evening, try not to sleep. Force yourself to stay awake by stretching, walking down the aisles, listening to music, checking out a podcast or reading a book. Even if staying awake exhausts you, you’ll arrive tired enough to go to bed at the correct hour for that time zone.
3. Reset your watch. While you fly, get your mind used to thinking about time in your new home. Set all your technology – any analog or non-automatic clocks – to the new time zone. 

After the Flight 

Once you arrive at your new home, it’s easy to get distracted exploring, settling in and unpacking. But you’ll want to make sure you continue to acclimate to the time by:

1. Behaving appropriately for the time zone. For a quick transition, you’ll want to act like you’ve always lived in that time. Don’t take a quick nap, and don’t eat a heavy meal if you plan to go to bed. Do whatever the locals are doing at the time you arrive. If you arrive in the morning, go for a brief walk and get breakfast. The sunlight will help your body regulate its rhythm. If you arrive at night, feel free to grab a small snack and go straight to bed! 
2. Use melatonin. If you have trouble falling asleep in the new time zone, take melatonin or other helpful sleep aids. When moving internationally, you should check that your destination has whatever your chosen drowsy medicine is – your new country might not stock the same supplements as the US. 

Get Help From a Professional Cross Country Moving Company

Now that you know how to adjust to your new time zone, you can go forward with confidence! Use our tips to jump right into the new culture and lifestyle as soon as you land. 

For more information or to hire a professional moving company, get in touch with the experts at Bekins Van Lines. Cross-country moves can be stressful and overwhelming, but we’re here to help make your transition as easy as possible!