Jet Lag - 7 Steps To A Successful Trip

Don't let jet lag spoil that much needed holiday trip to paradise or stop you from closing that career enhancing deal you've been working on for months.

Arriving full of excitement and anticipation is great, but finding that you can't sleep at night, you're tired during the day and you've got an upset stomach and a headache can do a lot more than just take the edge off your trip.

If you're seeking ways of preventing jet lag, or looking for the perfect jet lag remedy, then here are seven tips to start you on your search.

Tip 1. Clear the decks before your departure.

A much overlooked aspect of jet lag is the part played by stress. Running around trying to do a 1001 last minute jobs in the week before you fly. Worrying about whether the house will be safe. Sitting up until midnight the night before your flight paying the household bills. Sound familiar?

Plan well in advance and make sure that you've taken care of everything at least three or four days before you go. Then take it easy, get lots of rest and set aside time specifically for relaxation.

Tip 2. Start adjusting your bedtime before you go.

In the two weeks before your trip start to gradually adjust your bedtime. If you're flying east, bring your bedtime forward by ten or fifteen minutes each night so that, by the time you leave, you're going to bed about two hours earlier than normal. This will 'narrow the gap' between the time at which your body wants to go to bed and the time that the clock says you should go to bed at your destination.

Similarly, if you're traveling west, put your bedtime back by ten or fifteen minutes each day.

Tip 3. Reduce you caffeine intake.

Coffee, as well as other caffeinated drinks, both speeds up and slows down your internal body clock, depending upon the time of day that you consume it. When you're settled into a regular pattern of sleep this doesn't necessarily present too much of a problem, as the effects can tend to 'balance out'. However, when your body clock finds itself at odds with local time the effects of caffeine can be quite marked and add considerably to the problems of jet lag.

Tip 4. Avoid Pills.

With the exception of any prescribed medication that you normally take, you should avoid sleeping pills, so-called 'jet lag' pills and over the counter medication for jet lag. Not only do these have little or no beneficial effect, many of them can actually add to your problems.

In particular, avoid the common temptation to take sleeping pills during your flight. They may well help you to get to sleep on the aircraft, but they will add to your problems when you arrive at your destination.

Tip 5. Dress comfortably for your flight.

Choose comfortable and loose fitting clothes to travel in and tuck a pair of slippers into your carry-on luggage to wear on board the aircraft. It's nice to be able to get dressed up and go out once you reach your destination but nobody is going to expect you to get dressed up to the nines while you're traveling.

Tip 6. Get out in the sunshine.

Once you reach your destination get out into daylight as much as possible during the first few days of your trip. Daylight sends powerful signals to your body clock and you'll find that it adjusts far more quickly if it is exposed to the normal cycle of daylight and darkness at your destination. So take advantage of this and don't hide yourself away indoors.

Tip 7. Take something special with you.

It can often be difficult settling in strange surroundings and, in particular, relaxing sufficiently to fall asleep. So, take one or two items of special significance with you, perhaps a family photograph or a favorite bedside ornament, to help give a little bit of the feel of home.

Copyright 2005 Donald Saunders http://help-me-to-sleep.com

Attention Ezine Editors / Website Owners
Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine or on your website so long as you leave all links intact, do not modify the contentand include the resource box shown above. You may of course use your own affiliate link in the resource box.

For details of our affiliate program, please visit our website at http://help-me-to-sleep.com/affiliates

If you do use this article, please send me a note so that I can take a quick look. Many thanks.

Donald Saunders is the author of a number of health related publications including "Jet Lag - A Natural Approach". Jet lag ruins many trips, but the solution is simpler than you might think. Click here for more information on Jet Lag

---

How Cheap Can You Get? Try Online for Cheap Air Tickets

Most consumers feel the airline travel is very costly. We... Read More

Young Men Trying to Imitate the 9-11 Scenario, Part IV

In conclusion of this young man who crashed a single... Read More

Secrets to Finding Really Cheap Airline Tickets Online

Knowing where to find really cheap airline tickets is the... Read More

Airport Travel Tips: Reducing Waiting Times

Key Travel TipsFollowing these tips will help you reduce your... Read More

Really Cheap Plane Tickets

To begin with, the best place to buy really cheap... Read More

A380 Bathrooms

Bathroom seat with a view; That's right! The all-new A-380... Read More

How to Save on Airfare

The Internet has provided a revolution in the way people... Read More

The History of the Aircraft Wash Guys, Part Two

The continuation of the history of a small service franchise... Read More

Common Cockpit Concepts and Convenient Configurations

One of the big pushes in aviation and military is... Read More

Mirrors to Redirect Mini Laser Weapons on Fighters for Vortex Airflows

Recently a new airborne laser system was announced to be... Read More

Entering Business Aviation, Part V: Tips on Finding Work

I will not pretend that this is the easiest topic... Read More

Business Aviation Networking Notes

The process of finding out about a job, getting interviewed,... Read More

How to Overcome Jetlag

Jetlag seems to be every traveler's worst nightmare ? especially... Read More

Making a Mechanical Manta with Material Memory Manufacturing Methods

I propose building a mechanical manta ray as a Underwater... Read More

Starting an Aircraft Washing Business

So you love airplanes and you want to start an... Read More

Automated Following Jump System for Paratroopers, AFJS

There are many problems of safety in paratrooper drops. Many... Read More

Flying With Your Dog

A pet owner must research the many requirements before taking... Read More

Downed Pilots Hibernating From the Enemy

When we watch Oliver North's "War Stories" or the "Wings... Read More

Sport Aviation and Jet Aircraft

Do you want a little business jet with a lot... Read More

Young Men Trying to Imitate the 9-11 Scenario, Part III

What caused a teenager to crash an aircraft into the... Read More

17 Ways to Keep Safe and Secure When Flying

Here are 17 ways to keep safe and secure when... Read More

Airlines, Price Wars, and Branding

Here are some thoughts on the study of the theory... Read More

India Air Traffic Issues to Come

As India increases its economic growth the population is taking... Read More

Increasing TAS in Modern Day Fighters with Expandable Wing Tips

As fighter aircraft get faster and faster there is a... Read More

International Corporate Catering Guide

One of the more challenging aspects of being a flight... Read More

Fuel Costs and Air Fares Set To Rocket After Hurricane Katrina Punishes The US

It now looks certain that Hurricane Katrina will push fuel... Read More

Young Men Trying to Imitate the 9-11 Scenario, Part II

What happened to General Aviation after 9-11? Why did we... Read More

Aviation Lawyer: Whether Passenger, Pilot or Owner, You May Need an Aviation Lawyer

If you or a family member has been the victim... Read More

Fighter Jet Trainers Sport Planes

You want a fighter jet as your personal aircraft; do... Read More

Flying Blimp Walrus Could Have Assisted in Evacuations

What is a Walrus Super Blimp? It is a giant... Read More

Entering Business Aviation, Part II: Pay Rates for Flight Attendants

Pay. You know that aviation pays better than commercial, in... Read More

Material Memory and NASA High Tech Plastics for Rotor Blades

Some new materials, types of plastics seem to be stronger... Read More

Entering Business Aviation, Part III: Training Options

Time for some training! So, you are not sure what... Read More