How do I cope with jet lag?
Friday, December 26th, 2008 at
1:14 am
HJR asked:
I’m flying to Barbados from the UK next week and am staying there for two weeks. But because the tour operator has got an itinery planned, I only have on day at the start of the holiday to do what I want. Is there a way to overcome the jet lag on that one day?
I’m flying to Barbados from the UK next week and am staying there for two weeks. But because the tour operator has got an itinery planned, I only have on day at the start of the holiday to do what I want. Is there a way to overcome the jet lag on that one day?
Tagged with: Barbados • Jet Lag • Tour Operator
Filed under: Jet Lag
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Take a short nap, then a cup of coffee. That’s my best suggestion. Good luck
Prepare for the whole week before you leave. Slowly adjust your body to the time it will be when you get there.
I agree with the 2nd answer, a few days before your trip, start adjusting your body clock to Barbados time. Nap on the plane, but rest as soon as you get there. You’ll be there for 2 weeks, you will have plenty of vacation time. Flying takes a lot out of you even if its just a 4 hr flight. Just make sure you rest before and as soon as you arrive.
drink a lot before you go so u sleep on the way then u will be wide awake when u get there
If at all possible, start going to bed 30 minutes to an hour later each night this week.
As soon as you get on the plane switch your watch over to the U.K. time.
The plane will most likely feed you, chill the cabin, and dim the lights. This is to help you fall asleep. Sleep as much as you can on U.K. time.
When you arrive force you self to stay up until normal bed time. First morning, no matter what get out of bed! Take a nice cool shower, and hit the coffee. Get as much sun light as possible (the sun helps the body adjust).
If you become tired, take a light nap in the afternoon, no more than 30 minutes. Any more will do more harm than good.
Don’t worry too much about it, it’s a short jump. I did a 12 hour jump last month… that is a killer!
I tend to suffer from jet lag more when traveling east than when traveling west–go figure. Depending on what time my flight arrives, I try to adjust my sleep schedule accordingly. If my flight arrives in the morning, I try to sleep as much as I can on the plane so that I won’t be tired when I arrive and will hopefully be able to stay awake the rest of the day. If the flight arrives in the afternoon or evening, then I stay awake for as much of the flight as possible (and suffer the effects of boredom). I’m exhausted by the time I land and luckily it will soon be bedtime.
My fiance swears by melatonin to help adjust to the new time zone, but I didn’t like it. I took it before going to bed and then couldn’t wake up the morning after–even when I only took 1/2 or 1/4 of a pill!
Enjoy your trip!
With that short time on hand, probably your best recourse will have to start the moment you board the plane. What you can do is to set the local Barbados time on your watch and force yourself on the meal schedule there. That take lunch when it is 12pm in Barbados, etc. This will help set your body clock to the meal timing fast. Next, plan your sleep schedule to match Barbados too. This will ensure your body system is geared to that time when you land. You will find that you can adjust much faster and minimise the jet-lag.