How to avoid jet lag?

Answer 1

Simple prevention can be good sleep aboard, and adequate intake of fluids (without coffee or alcohol) to reduce the effects of dehydration on the body, caused by the dry air at altitude and the interruption of regular eating/drinking patterns. Seasoned travelers set their clock to the destination time zone, as soon as it is practical, and join the new rhythm. Exposure to sunlight may be a factor to reset the body's clock. For people who do not fly multiple times per week, it can be an effective non-drug remedy to skip sleep entirely for one night and one day and then go to bed at a normal destination-area bedtime on the next day.

Recent research shows that the pineal hormone melatonin may reduce the effects of jet lag. Studies have not identified side effects from such short-term use. Many products on the market claim to treat the effects of jet lag. Since the experience of jet lag varies among different individuals, it is difficult to assess the efficacy of any single remedy. In addition, most chemical and herbal remedies are not tested or approved by the Food and Drug Administration, therefore their safety has not been scientifically established.

The condition of jet lag generally lasts a few days or more, and medical experts have deemed that a recovery rate of "one day per time zone" is a fair guideline. Sleep, relaxation, moderate exercise, and sensible diet seem to be the simplest recovery agents.

Good sleep hygiene promotes rapid recovery from jet lag.

Answer 2

What works for me when flying from Montreal to Indonesia is, as soon as I get on the first plane (of 4) I change my watch to the final destination time, and tell myself that that is the real time (there's a 12 hour time difference). This is a very important step for me. Then, it is important to function within the new time frame. This means, sleep only when it is night at your destination, even if everyone is sleeping in the plane and it's totally dark. Conversely, try to sleep even if everyone is eating and it's completely light. Or, eat fast and go to sleep as soon as you can. I usually use the 'do not disturb' signs in the plane, because if you don't and it's time to eat the flight attendant will tap you on the shoulder and wake you up! I usually have a few glasses of wine to further knock myself out. Follow the same sleeping rules during stopovers.

I think the best way to control your body to sleep whenever you tell it to is to get very little sleep the night before so that your body is always ready to sleep at anytime: this will help ensure that when it is time to sleep, you will not have any trouble. Your body is so knocked off kilter that it no longer has any idea when it should be sleeping; so, you take control.

Finally, at your destination, your body is probably extremely exhausted, but only sleep when it's time to go to bed, and get 8-12 hours of sleep. This is also an absolutely crucial step. Have somebody wake you up if necessary. I went to bed at 8:00pm and got up at 6am the next day and never felt the 12 hour time difference.

Note that this method is not difficult, but it is really not fun because you are seriously unbalancing yourself. But the payoff is more than worth it. My wife, flying with me but listening to her body the whole time, was jet lagged for ever 3 weeks.

Mtl-Indonesia is a long flight but I see no reason why this method couldn't work with shorter flights too.

Answer 3

So as to avoid jet lag, let's say that you will go to the United States. All you have to do is to see to it that you sleep at 3PM and then stay awake at 12AM till 4AM in the morning. So that when you go there, no need for you to adjust your sleeping habit.

Answer 4

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Whether you are travelling for business or pleasure the further your trip the more chance you stand of being caught out by jet lag. Some are lucky and never seem to be affected, however for others jet lag can be quite severe and something that we really would prefer to avoid.

Some people say that it actually takes the body one day per time zone that we cross to fully recover ! That is great as I calculate that I am now on a 12 hour flight that crosses 6 time zones all for a 6 day trip ! So my body will have just recovered by the time I am boarding my return journey!

This is why it is so important to actually minimise the affects jet lag has on us, after all if you are travelling on business you need to arrive fresh and ready for the heavy schedule, if you are on vacation, well you deserve every minute you can get right ?! Here we will look at a few ideas, that should help to ease the strain.

With increased air traffic a lot of airlines especially on their long haul services have actually introduced twice daily flights, one which normally departs in the evening and another the daytime. The airlines will sell you the advantages of both and it is true that they both do have very strong support. However, it very much depends which direction you are travelling in, and whether you are an active flyer or a 'wake me up when we land' sort. Let's use the Hong Kong to London route as an example, which a lot of airlines offer two flights a day. If you leave in the evening you will arrive in London in the early morning however if you take the daytime service you will arrive late evening in London.

This means with the daytime service you have 13 hours or so to fill, sleeping is not really advisable as you will need to do that when you arrive in London in the evening. As we all know airline movies can be good but the chances are if you travel frequently, or watch movies a lot then you may have already seen most of them. You can work of course but does the airline you are flying with have laptop electric supplies, otherwise you may be restricted to a couple of hours or so ? This is where the initial problem lies, because if you do fall asleep then chances are you will find it difficult to get to sleep that evening in London, this would then worsen the jet lag effect and possibly ruin the next day for you, due to fatigue.

The opposite is of course true for the evening service, you can sleep as you are aided by the fact that your body clock is saying that you should. Then when you awake you will hopefully be refreshed and ready to work after a nice hot shower.

Today, airlines are going out of their way to ensure that you have a comfortable flight, and that you arrive as fresh as possible, at the other end. The leading airlines offer a total bed experience, which is where the seat will go all the way back flat, duvets, and pillows are offered, plus pygamas etc. This is now par for the course in First Class with Singapore Airlines and British Airways being among the first to offer it. Virgin is also in the process of installing seat/beds, and being Virgin they are taking it one step further and will have double/seat beds for those that would like a bit of a cuddle ! The airlines also offer arrival lounges compared to the standard departure lounge, which are for first and business class passengers. These arrival lounges have full shower facilities, so that you can arrive and freshen up without even having left the airport ! All these services are a great help but what is there that you can do to help yourself ?

Firstly avoid alcohol in flight, with the pressurized air in the cabin your body dehydrates substantially, and alcohol affects the body clock by not giving you a full and refreshing sleep. In fact, try to drink as much water as possible. Just ask the steward (ess) for a large bottle and keep it by your seat so you can take sips whenever you want.

Drinking a lot of water will also help in other ways. It is highly recommended to move around when in-flight, walk up and down the plane, do dome stretching exercises, to keep the blood circulating, and stop the joints from stiffening.
Whilst seated, swirl your ankles around from time to time.

Again depending on which direction you are travelling whether east or west, and how much sleep you require, you should set your watch to the local time of your destination as you board, and sleep according to that. This helps your body to start the change in its body clock, which is so important when combating jet lag. Let's say for example that you are flying from Bangkok to Paris, then when you board the plane you should set your clock to Paris time and try not to sleep until it is close to sleeping time in Paris.

When you do arrive at your destination, and it is day time, try not to go to sleep, no matter how tired you are. Instead try to go outdoors and into the sunshine if possible, this helps to alter your body clock, and will mean you will be back to normal a lot quicker. One of the first hotels to offer a jet lag service was the Okura Hotel in Tokyo. They would offer the guests, a special bright light in their rooms, special food designed to help the body clock, massages and a whole load of other things, all so that you could be refreshed and ready to go as soon as possible.

If you can't resist and your eyelids, are drooping and you feel more and more tired, then set you alarm for four hours time, have a very hot bath, and then jump into bed.

Answer 5

Drink plenty of water, before, during and after the flight. Try not to sleep when you get there especially if it day time when you arrive. Don't stay in the hotel room or whatever room you end up staying and get out then try and acclimatize yourself to their day and evening.

Answer 6

Sleep if you can for as much of the journey as is possible and buy a pack of pro plus for the 1st day on arrival at your destination.Works for me and im in and out of the uk by plane weekly...

Answer 7

Dont ride a jet!

Answer 8

take a few days off in advance and live as best you can in the time zone that you are heading to, when you get there you shouldn't have any trouble

Answer 9

can't avoid it but you can decrease its affect!
travel east and it's worse travel west and it's much better!

:D

Answer 10

stay home