I love to travel, obviously, but I absolutely hate the jet lag. It usually takes a few days or sometimes even longer to get over it, and by then it's almost time to return home. While there's probably no way to avoid it completely, after countless long distance trips, I have discovered a few ways to significantly minimize the fatigue and brain fog.

Gradually Change Your Sleeping Patterns Beforehand

The very best way to beat jet lag may be to gradually change the hours you go to sleep and wake up before heading out on your trip. When flying east, start going to bed earlier and waking up earlier a week or so before leaving. Do the opposite when flying west. Just be sure that it doesn't mess with your sleep schedule so much that you're not getting enough rest or you're probably going to feel even more exhausted when you arrive. 

Add a Stopover
If you can squeeze in a stopover on the way to your destination, staying a night or two, it can help you more gradually adjust to the new time zone.  For example, flying from Seattle to Europe, I usually try to schedule a stay in an east coast city like Boston or New York on the way. 

Leave Well-Rested 

Being well-rested before you leave makes it easier to handle the inevitable stress of traveling, and better able to deal with jet lag once you get there. 

Aim to Sleep If You Have an Overnight Flight
If you’ll be flying overnight, try to get some sleep on the plane. I've always had a difficult time doing this but bringing a bag full of "tricks" makes a significant difference, including ear plugs, an eye mask and a neck pillow. You might also try adding melatonin to a cup of herbal tea. Avoid alcohol as it will just amplify the effects of jet lag in the long run.

Don't hate me. I'm NOT a big Star Wars fan. Don't get me wrong, I don't dislike it, and the movies are a lot of fun, but I'm no fanatic. My first thought when I heard that The Moorings/Bridge Bar in Portmagee, Ireland was going to host the first-ever May the Fourth Festival was "Uh oh." 

I booked my trip to Ireland, with the plan to be in Portmagee over the weekend of May 4th months ago, not really thinking much about it being the "May the Fourth Be With You" day/weekend. No, I planned the trip around the annual set dancing and music weekend, which is always a lot of fun just to enjoy some awesome traditional Irish tunes, along with plenty of Guinness, of course. 

So what does Portmagee have to do with Star Wars, you might ask? Skellig Michael, an island that sits about eight miles off the coast near the village of Portmagee, was the filming site of the blockbuster final scene in "The Force Awakens in which Rey (Daisy Ridley) extends a light saber to Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill). The island is hosts the ruins of an ancient monastery built between the 6th and 8th centuries. and offers breathtaking views of the other Skellig Islands and the glistening expanse of the Atlantic. The Bridge Bar in Portmagee was the spot where cast and crew, including Hamill, enjoyed a few pints. Well, probably more than a few I would think as it's never easy leaving that place!

So music, or Star Wars? Well, when I'm in Ireland, enjoying the live music is a no-brainer. But if you're a big Star Wars fan, you might want to think about planning a trip, if not this year then in 2019, because odds are, there's going to be a second annual May the Fourth Festival next year and you'll need to book in advance. Portmagee is a very small village, so most likely, it'll be easy to take in a little of both. And, if the crowds get too thick, there's miles and miles of spectacular Irish countryside and coastline where you can find a spot to enjoy on your own.

Here's just a few of the Star Wars events on offer, if you're into that kind of thing:

• A cruise around the coastline that was pictured in "The Force Awakens"
• An inter-dimensional drive-in movie screening (an installment from the Star Wars saga on the big screen outdoors)
• Guided Skellig Wars Tours (driver-guided tour of the breathtaking Kerry coast, including Skellig Island views)
• Guided film location walks
• A fantastic collection of photographs and videography from Star Wars’ time in Kerry in one of Ireland's best known pubs, Páidi Ó Sé’s in Ventry and Músaem Chorca Dhuibhne in Ballyferriter

If you don't care about Star Wars, come for the scenery, the music and the people - that's what continues to bring me back to this little fishing village time and again.

​See you there on the 4th?
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