How to cope with Jet lag?

BaileyB

Hi everyone,

I'm going to Las Vegas in 10 days and never flown that far before, my outbound flight is 16 hours (1 stop) then minus the time difference and back home is 14 hours but plus the added 7 hours.

any tips on how best to deal with it

lfc321

There is no magic method. I always avoid drinking alcohol or caffeine on the plane (but drink plenty of water to keep hydrated) and when I get there I try my best to stay up until bedtime local time however tired I am. Couple of drinks before bed sometimes helps...

richardw

When going west to LAS try and get a few hours sleep on the plane at your normal UK sleeping time, don't force yourself to stay awake.

When returning to the UK try and stay awake until your normal UK sleeping time.

Pollycat

Make your flight as comfortable as possible.

Wear loose fitting clothes (although leggings/jeggings can be comfortable too - unless you're a 22 stone guy as that wouldn't really be a good look :rotfl:).

Wear layers as the cabin temperature can fluctuate.

If you intend to sleep and you have a blanket, make sure you buckle your seat belt OUTSIDE the blanket so cabin crew don't have to wake you up if there is turbulence and the 'Fasten Seatbelt' sign is put on.

Wear footwear that can be adjusted (laces/velcro) - your feet WILL swell up.

Consider buying/wearing flight socks and do excercises in the cabin.

Have a good think about what seat will suit you best.
If you have an aisle seat, people sitting in the window seat or middle will have to move you to get out.
I find an aisle seat in the central section of the plane is best for me on long-haul flights but of course it depends on the configuration of the plane(s).

I take one of those horse-shoe shaped cushions, ear plugs and a sleep mask.

Don't drink alcohol to excess, try to drink lots of water.

Once you've landed, do try to get into the local time as soon as possible.
If you arrive in LV at midday local time, try to stay up until evening and get up the following morning at a reasonable time i.e. don't sleep in until midday.

luci

The time difference is 8 hours, not 7 for Vegas.

Set your watch to local (Vegas) time as soon as you get on the flight. Drink plenty soft drinks and water on the flight.

Try to keep going until at least 9-10pm when you arrive. Try not to think what time it is at home.

You will wake up ridiculously early the first few days.

It is usually worse on the way back, west to east. I have had jet lag last for a day for each day I was away which isn't fun. Other times it has just lasted 2-3 days.

JCP

I just ignore it.
Westbound is easier than Eastbound, but generally I just make sure that I stay up until a reasonable hour the first night eg 9pm and then I'm fine on subsequent days. I've pandered to it once and my sleep cycle was all over the place for nearly a week.
NB I don't sleep on planes - if you can do this then you won't have any problems at all I don't think.

richardw

..and not forgetting that there are those that go for short trips to Vegas and just stay on UK time, ie go to bed at 7am local time.

cannyscot_2

There are some tablets you can buy online-Melatonin -the stuff in your skin that makes your skin turn brown that are supposed to help. I suffer really badly and would consider using these next time as I have looked at them and they are used extensively in the US and there are no known side effects.

DeeDee66

What do they actually do cannyscot?

globetraveller

richardw wrote: »

..and not forgetting that there are those that go for short trips to Vegas and just stay on UK time, ie go to bed at 7am local time.

Best place to do it as well:rotfl:

iamana1ias

There was a programme on about this recently - it's all linked to mealtimes, not bedtimes.

http://www.louiseellis.com/athletes-how-to-beat-jet-lag