aranda

Your replies have been so informative and I have learned many approaches to the jet lag problem, I'll have to experiment as to what will work best for me.

Having Lupus I frequently feel like I have jet lag anyway, my concern was that when "real" jet lag hit I could be totally down for the count. However the suggestions everyone has shared has given me various solutions to try. Now at least I feel I have some control.

Knowing that I may be out of it for a while, or possibly the whole time, we decided on Positano, Italy so I could just kick back and check out the views, if nothing else. However I remain positive and I'm planning day trips and activities.

The information you all have shared is appreicated and will no doubt make all the difference. Way cool.

Happy trails,
Aranda

kswl

Drink lots of water. Dehydration exacerbates the effects of jet lag,in my experience.

missamericalondon

Sleep. I live in London and can't tell you how ridiculous it is to see badly dressed and catatonic American tourists dragging around. I travel constantly and coming from the US to UK, I land, shower and sleep for a couple of hours.
If you phone ahead and speak to the duty manager (and stay in a decent hotel) they can almost always accommodate your early check-in.
Even if you do sleep on the flight, you'll be sleep starved -- there aren't enough hours to get properly rested. When I HAVE to work upon landing I often try to connect through Chicago so that my tranatlantic flight is longer so that I can squeeze in enough sleep before hitting London.

carolsc

I, too, agree with the suggestion of drinking lots of water particularly on the day of travel and on the plane. I nap for about an hour (only) the afternoon of arrival. These two things have helped me. (I wish, but am unable to sleep on planes.)

Migret

Jet Lag sufferer, there is hope.
#1. Get a copy of "Overcoming Jet Lag" by C. Ehret & Lynne W. Scallan.
#2. Follow their instructions for travel to and from your travel time zone.

In short:
*Cut out all caffeine for 4 days prior. Coffee, tea, chocolate, meds w/ aminophylline.

*Eat in a feast-fast-feast-fast pattern during those 4 days.

* Black Coffee reintro'd day of travel at 6PM. Bring it with you as you board, bec. you won't get any until close to 8PM due to the boarding process.

* Set your watch to destination time and make your body believe it is that time.

*Go beddie-bye at 6PM on the plane, skip the airline food offerings, perhaps take herbal sleep preparation and SLEEP. Even if for 4-5 hours. That's enough to reset the body clock. Put window shades down, wear eye covers and ear plugs & put a Do Not Disturb sign on your seat.

* Eat breakfast as you land; drink coffee.

* Get as much sunshine on your face and eyes as possible on the AM of arrival.

* The usual prohibition about alcohol applies and get proper water hydration.

When following this regime, as outlined in the book,I don't feel sleepy until bedtime, which is usually a bit earlier, on destination time.

Jet lag can ruin your vacation and affect existing health problems. It's worth the exercise to be able to truly enjoy each day that you have to spend in another land without the bother of fatigue, etc.

Good luck, traveler.

suze

Good tips, but unfortunately some of us can't sleep on a plane. Not ever.

zoecat

The best solution for me is, upon arrival, get outside and walk, get on a sleep and eating schedule for the new time zone, and no nap.

I have found that if I fail in any of these steps that I cannot get off jetlag for sometimes up to 6 days. When I've followed these steps I have experienced little or no jetlag.

Enjoy your travels!

Dohlice

Well, so much for staying hydrated. I hope they are a little more giving with the water inflight now!

overlookfarm

I just got back from a trip to Russia via london (just hours before the uncovered terror plot was announced and the delays started at Heathrow- phew) and can tell you that over the years I have tried almost everything to avoid Jet Lag with no effect. I always ache the first day or two, sometimes wondering if it is worth it. But, as soon as it passes, usually by the third day, I know absolutely that the discomfort was worth it! My teenage son is no different, so age is not a factor. It just is part of traveling and has to be taken with a grain of salt.

You will see people from all over the world looking rumpled and shot wherever you travel abroad and you will instantly know that they have just arrived and are jet lagged. In a few days they will bounce back and be themselves again. Hotels often look as if they are full of the walking wounded. People standing and staring at breakfast buffets as if they don't know what to do with them are just jet lagged. Their brains aren'y quite working yet.

Personally, I simply can not sleep on a plane, doesn't matter what class I am in. I do know that day flights going east are better, as they get you where you are going about dark when you are naturally ready to go to bed on local time and more prepared to get up in the new time zone. Leaving the US at night and arriving in europe early in the AM local time is the most difficult. It simply plays havoc with your body's clock - I just went through it, trust me on this one. But, sometimes there is no option. I grabbed my night flight (6:45 pm) at the last minute and was grateful to have gotten it in the height of the summer. Returning to US time is easier, both my son and I are adjusting quickly. We woke early yesterday, were tired - we had done an enormous amount on our trip - and went to bed at our normal time. Today is following that pattern, we just feel a bit more rested. Jet lag is part of travelling. It's not fun, but it passes. The rewards of seeing our big wonderful world are so enormous that feeling tired and achy for a few days is a small price to pay.

overlookfarm

I just got back from a trip to Russia via London (just hours before the uncovered terror plot was announced and the delays started at Heathrow- phew) and can tell you that over the years I have tried almost everything to avoid Jet Lag with no effect. I always ache the first day or two after I get to europe, sometimes wondering if it is worth it. But, as soon as it passes, usually by the third day, I know absolutely that it was! My teenage son is no different, so age is not a factor. It just is part of traveling and has to be taken with a grain of salt.

You will see people from all over the world looking rumpled and shot wherever you travel abroad and you will instantly know that they have just arrived and are jet lagged. In a few days they will bounce back and be themselves again. Hotels of every star ranking often look as if they are full of the walking wounded. Their staffs understand what jet lag does to travelers and as a result are very patient and helpful.

Personally, I simply can not sleep on a plane. It doesn't matter what class I am in, what pillows I try, if I had avoided caffine for a week or how I tried to adjust my body clock before leaving by going to bed earlier. I do know that day flights going east to europe are better. Travelling is tiring in itself, but day flights have the advantage of getting you where you are going about dark so you can go to bed right away on local time and be ready to get up the next morning in the new time zone.

Leaving the US at night and arriving in europe early in the AM local time is the most difficult. Over the years, I have tried both napping on arrival (not good for me) and also staying up until night fall. Either way it simply plays havoc with your body's clock. I just went through it again, trust me on this one. However, sometimes there is no option. I grabbed my night flight (6:45 pm) at the last minute and was grateful to have gotten it in the height of the summer. Returning to US time is definitely easier. Both my son and I are adjusting quickly. We woke early yesterday, were tired - we had done an enormous amount on our trip - and went to bed at our normal time. Today is following that pattern, we just feel a bit more rested. Jet lag is part of travelling. It's not fun, but it passes. The rewards of seeing our big wonderful world are so enormous that feeling tired and achy for a few days is a small price to pay.

JSLee

There is no way to completely eliminate it, only reduce it. For me, going west has more effect than going east.

What works for me:
If arriving in the AM, get some "sleep" before you land. After landing, see the sights at a leasurly pace, stay in the light, get to bed at a reasonable hour.
If arriving in the PM, do not sleep on the plane. If you do, you can not sleep that night. Relax some before even trying to get to bed.

As far as naps, it depends on you. I find a short nap around 5:30 helps, but some people can't nap.

As stated above, allow time to relax during the day.

jennhawk

I have the same experience as JSLee-much worse for me going west than east. I fly from the west coast of US, and even when we went to Istanbul, I was fine when I got there. Can't sleep on the plane, but I am so excited when I get somewhere new it doesn't matter.

But it all catches up with me when I get home. I feel groggy and out of it for up to 2 weeks after travel. I'm usually okay for 3-4 days when I get back, because I am still excited about what I did, telling people about it, getting pictures printed, etc. But after that wears off, I am a zombie. I found the thing that helps the most is healthy eating and exercise. And getting 9-10 hours of sleep until I readjust.
Good luck. aranda. The one nice thing about Italy is the abundance of good strong coffee. I had a double espresso on my way to sightsee every day. A wonderfully jolting way to start the day.

hopscotch

I had no jet lag on my last trans-Atlantic flight either way, DTW>AMS>DTW. Before going over I was stressed and tired. My plane departed at 20:30. I had a few warm up vodkas and then wine with my pasta dinner. Next it was off to dreamland for about 4 hours of sleep. The plane landed at 09:40 which was 03:40 back here in Michigan. I was fresh. On the first day I stayed up until midnight and then had a 12 hour sleep. No jet lag.

Conclusions:
1. Partially deprive yourself of sleep the night before your flight.
2. Travel during your normal sleep time.
3. Relax with carb loading and adequate alcoholic beverages of choice on the plane. They're still free and they're safer than the water.

AnthonyGA

Direct flights from the West Coast are very nice because they often leave in the evening, fly all night, and then arrive in the late afternoon or evening at the destination. Plenty of time to sleep, and only a few hours to stay awake at the destination should one be unable to sleep on the way over.

mw2006

If you have a flight leaving the US in the PM and arriving in Italy in the AM, consider taking Ambien. It doesn't help you to stay asleep, but does help you to relax enough to fall asleep. And you won't wake up feeling druggy. I took it on a recent flight from NYC to Paris and slept almost the entire flight.

aranda

My question on jet lag generated many responses with excellent information. Many thanks! I hope these responses will benefit others who may have jet lag concerns as well.

So, does the homeopathic remedy for travel fatigue No-Jet-Lag work or not? I noticed ads but not a mention about it from anyone. Has anybody actually tried this, and did it work?

Deep peace,

Aranda

cupspinner

I took No Jet Lag as directed (every 2 hrs?) during the flight over. I also stayed very well hydrated, drinking lots of water. We left the US from Cincinatti at around 7 pm. We arrived in Rome 10:30 a.m.

We took a pre-arranged limo ride to the hotel. I had written prior to the trip to ask for an early check in, and that worked out fine (in other cities when arriving early, we left our bags w/the front desk and went for a walk).

I had advise to wait until 10 pm to go to sleep, and we did walk to the Vatican, took a one hour nap (alarm set) and took an evening walk and late dinner near Piazza Navona. The next morning was an early train to Florence, and we were a bit tired that second day, but not bad. The third day, we were good to go. I think the idea of staying awake until 10 pm was a very good one. Don't plan too heavy an itinerary for the first day, maybe 2.

Coming home, however, left me very tired for at least a week, perhaps 2. I think I had been running on adrenaline for 3 weeks, in addition to the time change difference. I also took the No Jet Lag on the way home.

I did have a glass of wine at the Cincinatti airport prior to the flight, and nothing on the flight.

I had wine on the flight home.

I don't know if this was a factor or not.

RufusTFirefly

Homeopathic remedies can have a positive placebo effect if you believe strongly enough.

SurferX

Get a prescription for ambien or equal from your doctor. Take however much is needed for you to sleep 5 hours on the flight overseas. For me that is 15mg to knock me out in a coach seat.

Do not go to bed that first night until 10 pm, and take another dose of pills to ensure you sleep soundly and do not wake up prematurely.

That does it for me, no more jet lag.

Rinse and repeat on the inbound trip.

gforaker

I agree with many of the ideas mentioned here. If I take a nap on arrival before 9:00 PM, I am wasted for days.

Two other ideas not mentioned here, first - I set my watch to the arrival time zone as soon as the plane takes off. This lets my mind adjust a little longer into the new time.

Second - never close the curtains completely in your bedroom for the first few nights. The sunrise will help you adjust into the new time zone. You can darken the room, just let in a little light around the edge of the curtain.