There’s a lot that is beautiful about flying overseas. The sweet anticipation of your end destination, the small, oddly shaped plane windows, the adorable little blankets that are just the right size for mid-flight sleepy time.

Not to mention the splendour of in-flight entertainment, providing endless hours of guilt-free idle viewing.

Yes, the international flight is a special thing. That is, until you land. Post long-haul journey—somewhere between unclicking your seatbelt and wheeling your suitcase through your hotel room door (getting awkwardly half-wedged along the way)—a perturbing sensation threatens to overcome you. The feeling is called jetlag.

Suddenly that sweet anticipation you savoured preflight has somewhat soured. The glamour of adventure evaporated, the sexiness of your voyage gone. Deep down you know that you took this holiday for a reason, but your motives are all blurred.

What do I do now? You ponder, trying to control the urgent desire to pass out and eat a large meal all at the same time.

You’re pretty certain that you’re on dry land, but a subtle wobbling from your hips down makes you question your exact geographical location. Am I even awake? You hypothesise—why is life so hard?

Also known as desynchronosis, jet lag is thought to be a circadian rhythm sleep disorder, or more plainly put, a disruption to your internal body clock. Symptoms include fatigue, sleepiness, impaired judgment, irritability, and apathy. The bad news is: there is no real cure for jet lag. The good news is: we’ve made a list of a few things to help you nip it in the bud. Because you deserve to travel to faraway, exotic places, without the threat of jetlag spoiling the fun.

1. Book your flight time wisely

Abstract as it sounds; try to book in for an overnight flight. Flying through the night not only allows for a normal dinnertime, it also increases the likelihood that you’ll get a proper sleep.

Depending on how many time zones you hurdle, you’ll rock up at your destination morning or afternoon, making it much easier to slide into a near normal schedule.

2. Dress for the occasion

With the rise of Athleisure, dressing comfortably has never been more socially accepted. So come flight day, dress for hibernation—think trackies, loose jumpers and comfortable shoes. Your skinny jeans might make you look like a glamorous jetsetter, but they won’t feel so great when you’re attempting to gracefully curl up in your seat.

3. Don’t mix alcohol with (high) altitude

We’ve all seen a movie where someone gets plastered on a long haul flight. And a cheeky drink or two will certainly pass the time; but you’ll definitely regret it later. Dehydrating cabin air + cocktails = incredibly bad idea. So stay smart and stay sober.

4. Sleep like a baby

There are really only two options once you’re in the air. One: overdoes on inflight entertainment, polishing off art house mini series and cinema new releases to your hearts content.

Two: sleep.

The latter might sound a little dull, but travel is intensely tiring, no matter whom you are or what your star sign. So do yourself a favour, and let your body rest.

5. Say yes to hydration

Mid-flight water consumption can be awkward. Drink too much, and you become that person that’s constantly clambering over the other person to use the rest room. Drink too little, and you’ll inevitably regret it later, as the drying cabin air turns you into a human sultana.

It’s a tough call, but your body will definitely thank you for option number one—even if the guy in the aisle seat doesn’t.

6. Get in the zone

When flying internationally, it’s all about dogged preparation. Several days before departure, act like you’re abroad already, eating and sleeping at the same time as the people at your destination. This short-term schedule aberration will make for less psychological confusion come your estimated time of arrival.

7. Bask upon arrival

Once you reach your destination, ignore the inevitable urge to lie down for an oddly extended period of time, and take yourself outside. The longer you spend in the sun—or, depending on the season, under the sky in general—the quicker your body will reset its natural body clock. Nothing synchs you to your new surroundings faster than good old-fashioned daylight.