Dealing with a Jetlag
After
crossing several time zones, many travelers suffer from "jet lag." Although
there is no way to completely avoid jet lag, there are a number of ways to
help your body adjust to a new time zone.
1) Try
to go to bed a little earlier a few days before you leave and get as much
sleep as you can during your flight.
2)
Many side-effects of jet lag are the result of dehydration, so avoid
alcohol, coffee, tea and other caffeinated beverages and drink plenty of
water during your flight.
3) Eat
lightly on your flight and forego rich or exotic foods on the first few days
of your trip so that you can use your energy to adjust to your new
surroundings rather than to digest your food.
4)
Exercising on a long flight will help alleviate such common discomforts as
backaches, swollen legs and feet and general fatigue. Stretch at regular
intervals and walk up and down the aisles of the plane from time to time.
5)
Finally, take it easy on the day you arrive so that you can take advantage
of your trip at a leisurely pace and establish a routine in sync with the
local time. I take a short nap when I arrive at my destination, then make
myself stay active the rest of the day.
