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Haven't you felt tired, listless, sleepy, and unenthusiastic after a long flight across multiple time zones? That's because of jet lag, a physical condition caused by crossing time zones during flight that disturbs your body rhythm and leaves it 'out of sync' with the local time at the current destination.

Here are some tips that may help you to avoid jet lag during long flights across multiple time zones.

- A few days before your trip, start changing your sleep patterns to match the schedule you will need to keep at your destination.

- Reset your watch to the time of your destination at the beginning of the flight. This may help you adjust faster to the time zone you would be visiting.

- Drink plenty of water—before, during, and after your flight—to prevent dehydration that leads to jet lag.

- Don't smoke or take unnecessary medication while in flight. Avoid sleeping pills.

- Avoid drinking alcohol or soft drinks, tea, or coffee in excess. Both alcohol and caffeine increase dehydration.

- Sleep on the plane if it is night at your destination.

- Stay awake during your flight if it is daytime at your destination.

- Exercise on the flight while you’re awake. Stretch your back, arms, and leg muscles; walk up and down the aisles when the seat belt sign is turned off. Walking prevents stagnation of blood circulation and swelling of the feet and legs.

- Eat light. High-protein meals are likely to keep you awake, foods high in carbohydrates stimulate sleep, and fatty foods may make you feel sluggish.

- Sleep well before the flight and during long flights.

- Make yourself comfortable during long flights. Wear loose clothing and swap your shoes for socks to feel cozy in your seat.

- If you're going westward over three or more time zones—for example, from Mumbai to New York City, then get bright natural light early in the evening as this will help you to adapt to New York time. Take a walk in the afternoon or evening in Mumbai, sleep on the flight when it's night in New York, i.e. for a 3am flight from Mumbai go to sleep say 7 hours after takeoff. Wear eyeshades on the plane to get some sleep.

- Depending on the length of the flight, sleep until the breakfast time of your place of destination.

- If you're going eastward, that is from London to Mumbai, then try and return to Mumbai at around mid-day, to get the brightest light of the day.

- Once you get off the plane, try to stay awake for the rest of the day, and go to sleep at the current bedtime.

The best cure for jet lag is to be a frequent flyer so that the moment the flight takes off, you're off to sleep, and the minute it lands at the destination, you're fit and fine and raring to go. Afterall practice makes everything perfect, isn't it?

So which destination would you be taking off for this December? Have you searched for airfares to that destination on Mobissimo India? Your next vacation may be cheaper than what you think it is. Mobissimo wishes you happy and safe travelling.

Read more on avoiding Jet Lag from BBC Health, eHow, About, and TravelSmart.