Jet Lag and the Red-Eye

You can’t win a room jet-lagged. Here’s how experienced travelers handle the red-eye, eat to adjust, and sleep in a noisy hotel — plainly.

Sleep is the business input nobody schedules. Here’s how to blunt jet lag and protect your rest when the trip works against you.

How do I stay awake in meetings after a red-eye?

Get daylight and a little movement before the meeting, use caffeine strategically (early, not all day), and eat light. The real fix is not presenting cold off a red-eye at all — fly in the night before when the meeting matters. See: timing your flights.

What should I eat to fight jet lag?

Light, regular meals on the destination’s schedule, plenty of water, and easy on heavy food and alcohol. Eating on local time is one of the simplest ways to nudge your body clock over.

How do I sleep in a noisy hotel?

Ask for a room away from elevators, ice machines, and the street, bring earplugs or a white-noise app, and use an eye mask against early light. A quiet-room request at booking prevents most of it.

More answers for the road in the Field Guide.