I recently vacationed in Hawaii for twelve days and when I returned from the six hour time difference it was a real struggle to get up and exercise in the morning. I fear that jet lag is an enormous obstacle for those of you traveling across time zones. It can cause fatigue, irritability, difficulty sleeping, and inability to reason simple problems. These tiresome symptoms can even last up to a week depending on the number of time zones you crossed. Plus, the effects seem to be even more dramatic if traveling to the east. So, here are some tips to help you adjust.
- Avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks during the flight. This can cause even more severe jet lag.
- Once you board the plane, set your watch to the local time of your destination.
- Get as much sleep as possible on the plane; then take a brief nap, no longer than an hour, once you arrive at your hotel.
- Do not plan an active first day. You may be setting yourself up for a letdown.
- Eat dinner at the local mealtime, then go to bed no earlier than 9 pm
During and after a long flight: water, water, water! For me it makes all the difference in the world.
ReplyDeleteYou forgot one thing....pray for upgrades to first class where you can rest easier! As a 50K-75K mile flier a year, you do learn tricks to make it easier such as avoiding certain flight times and connections.
ReplyDelete