Avoiding/Curing Jet Lag
Apr 23, 2003 | 2:00 pm
#16
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: FLL
Posts: 1,679
I don't use any special pills or torture by getting less sleep.
I try to sleep earlier or later depending on where I am going. I live in the U.S. When going to Europe or the UK, I try to sleep as early as possible in the days before the trip. When going to Australia, I try to get up as late as possible (and still not be late for work).
On trips to Europe, I try to sleep on the plane, using eye shades and noise cancelling headphones. I eat before the flight and skip the meal because it takes them too long to serve the meal. On arrival, I may nap for as long as 60 minutes, but not longer.
I try to sleep earlier or later depending on where I am going. I live in the U.S. When going to Europe or the UK, I try to sleep as early as possible in the days before the trip. When going to Australia, I try to get up as late as possible (and still not be late for work).
On trips to Europe, I try to sleep on the plane, using eye shades and noise cancelling headphones. I eat before the flight and skip the meal because it takes them too long to serve the meal. On arrival, I may nap for as long as 60 minutes, but not longer.
Apr 23, 2003 | 4:42 pm
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,337
The easy way to avoid jet lag is to not spend more than a week in any given time zone. It works best if you don't spend more than a week in a given continent. I did this for a few years and never had jet lag.
Apr 23, 2003 | 7:51 pm
#18
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: CA, USA
Posts: 252
I heard this trick many years ago & have used it when ever I travel to another time zone.
Make sure you find time to watch the sunrise & sunset on your first couple of days. It somehow helps reset your internal clock.
The last time I flew to Spain, I made sure I was awake & watching the sunrise as we flew over the Atlantic Ocean.
Try it.....can't hurt. And you get the benefit of some quiet time as you watch the day changing.
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I'll discuss it with my cat and get back to you
Make sure you find time to watch the sunrise & sunset on your first couple of days. It somehow helps reset your internal clock.
The last time I flew to Spain, I made sure I was awake & watching the sunrise as we flew over the Atlantic Ocean.
Try it.....can't hurt. And you get the benefit of some quiet time as you watch the day changing.
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'll discuss it with my cat and get back to you
Apr 24, 2003 | 9:09 pm
#20
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Canada
Programs: AC SE 2MM, HH Dd, Bonvoy G; IC S; AA; DL
Posts: 14,496
Bright light (ie sunshine) is important for me. A nice hour walk in mid-afternoon in the outdoors (where possible) does wonders for resetting the clock. A combination of strategies is usually needed.
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Apr 25, 2003 | 1:03 pm
#21
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 156
The latest research indicates that sleep is the critical variable. Try not to set off on a trip with a sleep deficit--getting a few hours of extra sleep the night before can help.
When I go east-to Europe, I take a mild sleeping pill, and get about 4 hours. I then go to bed early, if possible, and sleep for as long as possible--sometimes 10 hours. I get up the next morning, and carry on normally. It's the best I've discovered, almost no jet-lag, perhaps a bit slow the first two days or so, but not groggy or headachy. The idea is that if you have enough sleep, the 'clock' will reset itself. Works for me.
When I go east-to Europe, I take a mild sleeping pill, and get about 4 hours. I then go to bed early, if possible, and sleep for as long as possible--sometimes 10 hours. I get up the next morning, and carry on normally. It's the best I've discovered, almost no jet-lag, perhaps a bit slow the first two days or so, but not groggy or headachy. The idea is that if you have enough sleep, the 'clock' will reset itself. Works for me.
Apr 27, 2003 | 6:07 pm
#22
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: atlanta, GA
Posts: 2,040
One of the side effect of melatonin is it makes your biological clock very sensitive. I now find myself waking up the instant before my electric alarm clock goes off. I also find it difficult to sleep in on weekends.
Apr 27, 2003 | 10:57 pm
#23
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1P
Posts: 280
How do you sleep on the Y flights where the child is kicking your seat from behind or the guy is shaking your seat as he pounds his laptop on the tray table? Or am I the only one that gets these people behind me?
May 2, 2003 | 9:18 pm
#24
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Rio Rancho, NM - USA
Programs: DL, UA, WN, Amtrak, Hyatt, Accor
Posts: 1,795
All good tips, especially the use of melatonin, No Jet Lag, and getting lots of sunlight to adjust at the destination.
On my last trip to Bali I discovered a massage each day for the first four days almost eliminated the jetlag, too bad that option is fairly unaffordable at most other places.
On my last trip to Bali I discovered a massage each day for the first four days almost eliminated the jetlag, too bad that option is fairly unaffordable at most other places.