Jet Lag - part 2
A few weeks ago, I came across a great article on Fodor's blog about the10 best ways to avoid jetlag.
I started to write about it and .....
............ I got completely sidetracked on a very nice memory that involved the effects of jetlag.
Now ....at last, as promised are the suggestions ........
these are a combination of items in Fodor's article and my own experiences.
With the Spring travel season in full swing, it's important to make the most of the time you have at your destination(s). Laying awake in the middle of the night, waking up at 2am - 3am and being drowsy all day while you should be out enjoying your destination is enough to make anyone irritable
- irritability being one symptom of jetlag.
1.
Start your anti-jetlag campaign even before you get on the plane.
During the week before your travel, start to adjust your internal clock. Gradually shift your sleeping and eating times to coincide with your destination. Then once you arrive, it will be easier to adapt to the local time. For instance, traveling from California to France which is nine hours ahead - start by going to bed a little earlier and waking up a little earlier each day to put yourself closer to French time. Doing that will also adjust your eating times to work better when you arrive.
2.
Pack well ahead of time and try to be as organized as possible.
This cuts down the stress of getting away.
Worrying about all the last minute details really takes its toll on the first few days of vacation.
3.
3.. If you have an afternoon or evening flight, and it is at all possible, try having a massage before your flight.
It really helps you to relax and gives a jump start into your vacation.
4.
4. Overnight flights help - as you can have dinner soon after take off and then go to sleep. Depending on the number of time zones you cross, you will usually arrive at your destination in the morning
- much easier to start your daily routine.
5.
5. After arrival, go out for a walk
- get plenty of sunlight which helps to reset your body clock to your new surroundings.
6.
Back on the plane ..... Stay hydrated.
Drink at least 8ozs of water for each hour of your flight - even if you are not thirsty.
7.
If you wear contact lenses, clean them thoroughly before your flight,
and use eye drops while you're in the air.
When you sleep, you may want to remove your lenses.
8.
Your carry on pack should include:
a bottle of moisturizing lotion, lip balm
and hydrating spray with essential oils (not just water), to spritz your face with.
Be sure to use it inflight - and please note that all liquids must be TSA compliant.
9.
Limit or avoid alcohol in flight.
Cabin air dehydrates and altitude exaggerates the effects of alcohol
(a rule of thumb is one drink in the air equals two to three on the ground).
Make sure you drink at least one glass of water to each alcoholic beverage,
as a drink might help to relax you, but it can also worsen the effects of jetlag.
10.
Try to sleep on the plane - especially important when you are traveling overnight
or when you're flying from west to east.
Don't forget eye shades and neck support pillow.
It's also good to include a shawl as one of your clothing layers
- to double as a blanket for keeping you warm when sleeping.
11.
When you arrive at your destrination, try to do activities appropriate for that time of day.
Try to stay awake until bedtime.
12.
At your destination, do a little shopping. Pick up a few snacks, fruits and drinks - it sometimes helps if you wake up in the middle of the night and it's dinnertime back home.
Having a quick snack when you wake up, often helps you to get back to sleep.
13.
Now ..... if having done all of this ... you still wake up in the early hours of the morning and can't get back to sleep .... be sure to have a good book!
I started to write about it and .....
............ I got completely sidetracked on a very nice memory that involved the effects of jetlag.
Now ....at last, as promised are the suggestions ........
these are a combination of items in Fodor's article and my own experiences.
With the Spring travel season in full swing, it's important to make the most of the time you have at your destination(s). Laying awake in the middle of the night, waking up at 2am - 3am and being drowsy all day while you should be out enjoying your destination is enough to make anyone irritable
- irritability being one symptom of jetlag.
1.
Start your anti-jetlag campaign even before you get on the plane.
During the week before your travel, start to adjust your internal clock. Gradually shift your sleeping and eating times to coincide with your destination. Then once you arrive, it will be easier to adapt to the local time. For instance, traveling from California to France which is nine hours ahead - start by going to bed a little earlier and waking up a little earlier each day to put yourself closer to French time. Doing that will also adjust your eating times to work better when you arrive.
2.
Pack well ahead of time and try to be as organized as possible.
This cuts down the stress of getting away.
Worrying about all the last minute details really takes its toll on the first few days of vacation.
3.
3.. If you have an afternoon or evening flight, and it is at all possible, try having a massage before your flight.
It really helps you to relax and gives a jump start into your vacation.
4.
4. Overnight flights help - as you can have dinner soon after take off and then go to sleep. Depending on the number of time zones you cross, you will usually arrive at your destination in the morning
- much easier to start your daily routine.
5.
5. After arrival, go out for a walk
- get plenty of sunlight which helps to reset your body clock to your new surroundings.
6.
Back on the plane ..... Stay hydrated.
Drink at least 8ozs of water for each hour of your flight - even if you are not thirsty.
7.
If you wear contact lenses, clean them thoroughly before your flight,
and use eye drops while you're in the air.
When you sleep, you may want to remove your lenses.
8.
Your carry on pack should include:
a bottle of moisturizing lotion, lip balm
and hydrating spray with essential oils (not just water), to spritz your face with.
Be sure to use it inflight - and please note that all liquids must be TSA compliant.
9.
Limit or avoid alcohol in flight.
Cabin air dehydrates and altitude exaggerates the effects of alcohol
(a rule of thumb is one drink in the air equals two to three on the ground).
Make sure you drink at least one glass of water to each alcoholic beverage,
as a drink might help to relax you, but it can also worsen the effects of jetlag.
10.
Try to sleep on the plane - especially important when you are traveling overnight
or when you're flying from west to east.
Don't forget eye shades and neck support pillow.
It's also good to include a shawl as one of your clothing layers
- to double as a blanket for keeping you warm when sleeping.
11.
When you arrive at your destrination, try to do activities appropriate for that time of day.
Try to stay awake until bedtime.
12.
At your destination, do a little shopping. Pick up a few snacks, fruits and drinks - it sometimes helps if you wake up in the middle of the night and it's dinnertime back home.
Having a quick snack when you wake up, often helps you to get back to sleep.
13.
Now ..... if having done all of this ... you still wake up in the early hours of the morning and can't get back to sleep .... be sure to have a good book!
Most of all ... relax, enjoy ...... bon voyage and bonnes vacances!
Posted by Marianne at 4/17/2011 9:21 AM 
Categories: Europe, Travel Journal, Travel, Vacation, France
Tags: jetlag travel
Categories: Europe, Travel Journal, Travel, Vacation, France
Tags: jetlag travel
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