For me, the best thing is to stay up at least until 8 or 9 on arrival day. Keep busy and outside in natural light the day you arrive too. But don't do anything you actually want to remember clearly that day!

Case in point: Last week I took my sister to Holland. She'd never dealt with jetlag before and she made it until about 6 p.m. before she decided she "had" to crash. So she did. I sat in the hotel lobby and used their internet and read until 8:00. Then I went to bed. She woke me, all rested and ready to start the day, at 11:30 p.m. the same day. She was "off" the second day we were there too, but forced herself to stay up until 10 p.m. that day to catch up. She was fine thereafter.

My problem is usually coming home. For about a week I'm up anywhere from 3 to 5 a.m. I just force myself to stay in bed until at least 6:30 a.m. and stay up at least until 9:30 p.m. I found this time though that getting out in bright sunlight has helped me adapt more quickly.

Going TO Europe is fine with me - I just go to bed the same time everyone else does in that country. I am unable to sleep on flights. However, I have terrible chronic insomnia so that first night is key - I always take a prescription sleeping pill.

But returning FROM Europe is what does me in. It takes me several days to get over it. Melatonin and Ambien make absolutely no difference to me but then I am used to strong sleeping pills.

Like someone suggested, check with your doctor.

Go to Europe on the latest flight you can. Then you can sleep at your normal sleeping time. This minimizes jet lag.

I take 2 Tylenol P.M. when they start boarding. By the time I get to my seat I am drowsy. I know you're supposed to pass on the alcohol, but I don't. I drink lots & lots of water. Plus, ever since a lost day in Rome when the flight excasperated my head cold, I make a deal with myself that if I am dragging on arrival I get to take a taxi to my first destination instead of struggling with train/bus thru the fog of jet lag.

Doesn't the label on your Tylenol bottle prohibit the simultaneous use of alcohol?

Isn't ignoring sound medical advice...stupid?

Sometimes, one Tylenol PM (Tylenol with 25 milligrams of BENADRYL) is enough. For some people, two pills creates a paradoxical response, and results in jitteriness and restlessness. Once again, discuss with your doctor, and do a trial run with any medication before you go. You can also simply use over-the-counter (generic) benadryl, like the CVS brand.

R- "stupid" is a little harsh, I'll assume you were concerned, since you're usually so helpful an I was too brief. I don't mix Tylenol P.M. & the alcohol. Some say skip alcohol the entire 1st day. I may drink something 8-10 hours later with my meal on arrival. Or, if I meet people, don't want to sleep & don't take the tylenol, I will take wine on the plane.

We are expats in the Middle EAst and fly to the USA twice a year...an 8 hour time difference...with 3 little boys! It usually takes 3 days for all of us to kick jet lag. I think the little boys are the key. They stay awake during the day, because its day, and we stay awake with them. We have had moments of people literally falling asleep in their dinner or finding someone asleep with a video game controller in their hand, but they mostly keep on going.

We have friends who use Ambien and other sleep aids. It seems to take them a week to kick jet lag.

I do think everyone is different. In regular, everyday, non-jetlag life non of us are really big sleepers. If I take a nap it is usually 15-20 min. long. During jetlag I try to limit naps to 45 min long, but have had times I've slept 3 hours and regretted it.

Seems to us the busier, more active we are the first 3 days the better. Sitting at a desk if probably the tough part!

Good luck and please post any miracle cures!!!
KatyBelle

I've been to Europe more that 2 dozen times and the KEY is to not get dehydrated. Most people get dehydrated on the plane but don't realize it. The cabin humidity is like a desert. Drink lots of water. It's imperative! I also started using Ambien about 4 or 5 trips ago and I actually get some sleep now. I also don't sleep until bed time on my arrival day and I use Ambien the first and second nights in Europe so I will stay asleep.

It seems that one of the standard replies to the how to avoid jet lag question is to avoid alcohol. I go the other way.

In addition to taking the latest flight available I have a few beverages on board. Before dinner I have a couple of vodkas. I always order pasta for dinner and a demi of wine. After dinner I order a brandy. Next thing I know I'm waking up in Amsterdam, refreshed and ready to hit the bricks. Works for me.

Thanks everyone for your responses. Will try a few things suggested by you, and will report how we fare. My wife and I are taking a trip again in June.

Hope will adjust better this time!

please beware that for some, Tylenol PM type products have the opposite effect (as mentioned by one person above) and makes people overly jittery and alert. for me that would be an absolutely nightmare on a flight. anything you are interested in, try at home, before the trip.

i swear by an anti-anxiety type prescription for flights and attempted sleep like valium or xanax. that was my own doc's recommendation.