What is the best way to minimize jet lag?

I purchased herbal jet lag tablets in Auckland Airport before flying to Vancouver, and those seemed to help. You take one every two hours or so. Seems to combat the jet lag, but of course, you'll still be tired if you're not able to sleep on the plane. Also, set your watch to your destination time as soon as you board your flight and try to set your routine by that time... Jet lag is horrible so anything helps!

Whenever we have guests visit us from the US: <BR> <BR>The first day they are here, we try to get them to stay up until our normal bedtime (in other words, no naps). This seems to help them get over the jet lag and get them on track with our time zone more quickly.

I agree with Juliet, but also use melatonin. It works for me and probably saves a couple of days of recovery.

The herbal jet lag pills mentioned by Sam are called "No Jet Lag" and are sold by TravelSmith and Magellans (both have online sites). We have been using this remedy the past 3 trips, and think it definitely helps with 'disorientation' symptom (nothing can help lack of proper sleep but sleep).

Harry, <BR> Use the text search--type in jet lag. There is so much info on this thread. I recently read it and Followed the advice of the majority, especially ordering the fruit plate & drinking water. Had no pronlems when we arrived in Switzerland.

If I get really tired, I don't think anything helps with jet lag!! If I go 24 to 30 hours without real sleep, I need a while to recover, I don't care what I do to minimize lag. <BR> <BR>Scientific research has shown that getting out in the sun light is the best way to reset the body's internal clock. <BR>We tried that in Paris last year and in Switzerland the year before. After arriving in the morning, we went someplace and made sure we got outside. <BR>It seemed to work. I slept well and was ready to go the next day more than I thought I would be. Perhaps motiviation was setting in. <BR> <BR>Some people find that benadryl helps them sleep on airplanes. (That is the sleep inducing ingredient in Tylenol PM I believe.) But I find that it just winds me up. But if I can sleep any on the plane it seems to help me. <BR> <BR>Staying hydrated with water is good. For a night flight, I try to lay off of the caffeine for several hours before take off. (No cokes, coffee, tea, or solid food with caffeine in it.) I also carry a little bottle of saline nasal spray that I use to keep the membranes moist because the air inside the plane tends to dry out on long flights. <BR> <BR> <BR>

Another vote for getting on to local time immediately, with the help of melatonin. And the point about sunshine makes a lot of sense. I quite often go for a walk first thing upon arriving, and I thought I was doing it just to move and stretch, but probably exposure to the sun is helping too! <BR> <BR>Just a curiosity: I have much greater problems with jetlag flying east to west, but I've spoken to others who are the opposite. How about a poll? Which bothers you more?

West to east is much worse for me.

From one who has researched the jet lag issue carefully: <BR>1) melatonin 1-2 mg evening before leaving, and at typical destination "bedtime" when on the plane. Some also take another dose at bedtime first PM of arrival. <BR>2) stay WELL hydrated on plane (and before and after). Don't underestimate the importance of this. Sounds too simple to make a difference, but don't be fooled. <BR>3) no alcohol on plane, no high fat "heavy" foods. <BR>4) either take a short (max 1 hour) nap when you arrive at hotel, then get out into the sun and do some walking around for awhile, or skip the nap altogether. <BR>5) go immediately to normal destination bedtime once you've arrived. <BR>6) I've also tried slowly rolling bedtime (a couple hours) toward destination bedtime 2-4 days prior to departing. I compete internationally in athletics and maximal adjustment is critically important. Taken together, I've had very little difficulty with jet lag using these measures. <BR>BTW, west to east has always been much more challenging than E-W for me.

Melatonin works for me.Herbal remedies seem to contain sleep-inducers - if you can manage to sleep for 30mins or more you can reset your body clock but melatonin + dark does it anyway. <BR>I find west to east worst.

As a pharmacist and if you are arriving in London in the eary am. Have your family physician prescribe Sonata, a sleeping aid that will give you up to 4 or 5 hours of sound sleep without a hangover. You may then start the first day in London fresh as a daisy.