Jetlag

Some time ago, I came across a great article on Fodor's blog about the10 best ways to avoid jetlag.
I started to write about it and .....
having spent many sleepless nights, I  decided to add a few of my own favorite ideas on battling Jetlag..... So .... some of these are in Fodor's article and  many are my own experiences. Hope they help with your next trip...

With the Christmas and New Year Holiday travel season coming into  full swing, it's important to make the most of the time you have at your destination(s).  Laying awake in the middle of the night, waking up at 2am - 3am and being drowsy all day while you should be out enjoying your destination is enough to make anyone irritable - irritability being one symptom of jetlag.

1.
 Start your anti-jetlag campaign even before you board your flight.
 During the week before your travel, start to adjust your internal clock.  Gradually shift your sleeping and eating times to coincide with your destination. Then once you arrive, it will be easier to adapt to the local time.  For instance, traveling from California to France which is nine hours ahead - start by going to bed a little earlier and  waking up a little earlier each day to put yourself closer to French time.  Doing that will also adjust your eating times to work better when you arrive.




2.
 Pack well ahead of time and try to be as organized as possible.  Making a list of "must take items" helps quite a lot and cuts down on the stress of getting away. 
  Dealing with all the details at the last minute really takes its toll on the first few days of vacation.

3.
  If you have an afternoon or evening flight, and it is at all possible, try taking some time to relax  before your flight.  Having a massage, if possible is a real help.
It helps you to relax and gives a jump start into your vacation - as soon as you board.


4.
  Overnight flights help - as you can have dinner soon after take off and then go to sleep.  Depending on the number of time zones you cross, you will usually arrive at your destination in the morning - much easier to start your daily routine.


5.
  During the flight ..... Stay hydrated. 
Drink at least 8ozs of water for each hour of your flight - even if you are not thirsty.

6.
   If you wear contact lenses, clean them thoroughly before your flight,
and use eye drops while you're in the air. 
When you sleep, you may want to remove your lenses.
 
7.
  Your carry on pack should include:
 a bottle of moisturizing lotion, lip balm
and hydrating spray with essential oils (not just water), to spritz your face with. 
Be sure to use it inflight  - and please note that all liquids must be TSA compliant. .

8.
 Limit or avoid alcohol in flight. 
Cabin air dehydrates and altitude exaggerates the effects of alcohol
(a rule of thumb is one drink in the air equals two to three on the ground). 
Make sure you drink at least one glass of water to each alcoholic beverage,
as a drink might help to relax you, but it can also worsen the effects of jetlag. 

9.
 Try to sleep on the plane - especially important when you are traveling overnight
or when you're flying from west to east.  
Don't forget eye shades and neck support pillow.
 It's also good to include a shawl as one of your clothing layers
 - to double as a blanket for keeping you warm when sleeping.




10.
 After arrival, go out for a walk
 - get plenty of sunlight which helps to reset your body clock to your new surroundings.


11.
  At your destination, try to do activities appropriate for that time of day. 
Try to stay awake until bedtime.
 
12.
  When you go out for your walk, do a little shopping.  Pick up a few snacks,  fruits and drinks - it sometimes helps if you wake up in the middle of the night and it's dinnertime back home. 
Having  a quick snack when you wake up, often helps you to get back to sleep.



13.

Now ..... if having done all of this ... you still wake up in the early hours of the morning and can't get back to sleep  .... be sure to have a good book!

Most of all ... relax, enjoy ...... Bon Voyage and Bonnes Vacances!  Joyeux Noel! ..... Bonne Annee!