I experienced jet lag for the first time during my 10-day vacation in Europe. This tip from a Navy SEAL helped me fight exhaustion.

• I traveled to Europe for the first time this fall, visiting three countries in 10 days.
• Jet lag became a serious obstacle once I reached Scotland and continued into Belgium.

I felt like a zombie as soon as I touched down in Belgium.

It was the third and final stop on my first trip to Europe, and my body was definitely feeling it. In late September, I left New York City for a 10-day European girls' trip that kicked off in London before landing in Scotland and Belgium. Although I've traveled across different time zones in the US, I never experienced jet lag like in Europe.

During the early leg of my trip, I accidentally dozed off in Uber rides and constantly yawned while sightseeing. By Belgium, I was over it. That's when I remembered a sleep hack I saw on TikTok.

A former Navy SEAL commander swears by power naps with an added twist

In April 2022, retired Navy SEAL Jocko Willink shared his power nap hack on Mikhaila Peterson's self-titled podcast. He suggested laying on the ground, elevating your feet above your heart using a couch or another surface, and taking an eight-to-ten-minute power nap.

"Set your alarm clock for 10 minutes, and if you're really tired, you'll fall asleep really quickly," Willink said. "And when you wake up, you'll feel like you just slept for six hours."

In an act of desperation, I put the sleep hack to the test in my hotel room in Belgium.

After 10 minutes, I felt refreshed and more coherent

I laid on the ground, elevated my feet on my hotel bed, and promptly passed out. Ten minutes came too soon, but I felt more aware and cognizant than before trying the hack.

I began incorporating my 10-minute naps into my vacation schedule, choosing specific times in the day when I knew I'd need a breather.

It's not a cure-all solution and can't replace regular REM sleep, but I'll use this trick again whenever I'm in a pinch.