Top Tips for Avoiding Jet Lag in London


London has always been one of the best business destinations in the world. With its countless business hubs, the city attracts millions of travellers looking to find new clients, new ventures and new friends in the UK Capital. With areas such as Canary Wharf, Shoreditch and Soho all attracting different sorts of business, there are plenty of opportunities for any kind of business traveller.

That’s not all though, London is especially useful for business visitors and stopovers due to its abundance of airports. With six to choose from, business travellers from around the world can get to the UK with next to no stopovers and easy access to their desired business hub.

Whether you’re visiting for a day or a week, there’s always a great pay on arrival hotel in London just around the corner from you. Wherever you stay, the city has an abundance of corporate suites, quick WiFi and event rooms that make business in the city easier than ever before.

sleepy friends - london

The only problem is catching up on sleep. With so many meetings, travel itineraries and client introductions to get through, any business trip is tiring, and that’s not even factoring in the vastness of London. In the city, you’ll find yourself being entertained by clients or associates, as well as indulging in some of the best food in the country. If you want to enjoy all of this as fully as possible, then ensuring that you’re as well-rested as you can be is an important part of making a great first impression to your London associates.

Jetlag is arguably the most debilitating aspect of travel. Whilst long flights can cramp the muscles and airport food isn’t always the most satisfying, the main problem you’ll have on long-haul flights is acclimatising to the new time zones. This can often take days to recover from, but there are always techniques to lessen the effects.

First off, what is jet lag?

Jet lag is all to do with your circadian rhythm. These natural patterns of sleep and wakefulness are dictated by your instincts and body clock. It might be that you find, whatever the hour is when you go to bed, that you still wake up at the same time every day. This is due to your circadian rhythm, and travelling will, of course, throw this off-balance. If you’re a native to Hong Kong, for instance, your 8 am is 1 am in the UK, and if you’re travelling from Australia, your body clock could be up to 9 hours ahead of London. This sudden change can mean that your sleeping patterns are irregular, and less sleep leaves you open to illness and fatigue during a trip where you want to be on your best form. Although you might find that our Park Grand London Heathrow hotel has very inviting beds, you can prepare for the inevitable clock shift very easily indeed.

Tips and tricks to beat the clock

So, how can you beat jet lag during your business trips? Whilst we all need to sleep, we can bend the body clock in numerous ways, whilst also avoiding a variety of foodstuffs. Mental preparation is also key, and there’s plenty you can do before your trip to prepare for the inevitable time shift.

Shift your body clock before you leave

Jetlag 1

Whilst it would be near impossible to shift your body clock 9 hours before your trip from Hong Kong to the UK, you can start in small increments. Try going to bed an hour earlier, or waking up an hour earlier for the few days before you travel. 

Leave home well-rested

sleepwell travel

Make sure you get a full 8 or 9 hours sleep before you leave on your trip. This will help you to keep your body functioning fully upon arrival, giving you a much needed buffer zone from the shock of jet lag. The better rested you are, the more your body will be able to deal with the effects of jet lag. Much like on any other day, a good nights sleep never fails to ward off fatigue and illness.

Don’t nap when you arrive


Whilst the deluxe service at the Park Grand London caters fully for tired travellers, try and fend off any urge to nap until the night. This will stop you succumbing to even more body clock confusion and ensure a good nights sleep when it comes to a decent bedtime.

Or if necessary for no more than half an hour

There is leeway, however. A half-hour power nap can replenish the batteries for a few more hours, any more than that however, and you might feel even groggier. Sleep patterns usually work in 3-hour segments, so an hour or two hours of napping could lead to the effects being worsened.

Stay awake till an early bedtime

Shift your body clock in one fell swoop, and ensure an early bedtime on your first night. This will help you to get up nice and early and wholly enjoy your first full day in the city. Factor in your jet lag to your travel plans and try not to organise any work meetings until the day after your arrival. Of course, this isn’t always possible, but if you have flexibility, use it and try and get some rest.

Avoid caffeine

Stimulants might be tempting on arrival, especially with the dizzying range of caffeinated drinks sold on our Park Grand Lancaster Gate afternoon tea  menu but avoid any foods or drinks that could keep you awake until after you’ve adapted to the new time zone.

Avoid alcohol

The opposite is true as well. Alcohol is a depressant and can make you feel more tired than you previously were. Whilst a cold British pint might be tempting, save it for your after-work socials or networking events. 

Avoid large meals

A hearty roast and fish and chips can wait, they’ll only feed your body with unnecessary energy. Big meals could also unsettle your stomach, leading to uncomfortable rests that could disrupt your jetlag recovery.