How do you deal with jet lags?
@luckymichelle (170)
Singapore
January 28, 2010 12:45pm CST
For a frequent traveller I must say one of the most commonly faced challenge is to handle jet lag. Having to adjust to different GMTs in different countries really is pretty tough. Coupled with the different climate, humidity, food etc it usually takes the body system a while before it can be tuned to the new environment. For me I alwys try to follow the local timings as much as I can. But having said that sometimes its really easier said than done. So any great ideas on how to handle jet lag?
6 responses
@teamrose (1492)
• United States
28 Jan 10
I try to plan my travel so I can get plenty of sleep on the plane. I will stay up all night before an overseas flight to make sure I sleep on the plane. Also, I try to have at least one free day upon arrival before anything important starts. This gives me a chance to relax in the hotel and get my body acclimated to the new time.
@luckymichelle (170)
• Singapore
30 Jan 10
Well thats good if you can sleep on the plane. I think many of us find it hard to sleep on the plane firstly due to the limited leg room and space. Secondly the cabin is usually pretty noisy to be able to sleep in comfort. I do agree sound planning before travelling is indeed important to help with with jet lag.
@smileonstar (4007)
• United States
28 Jan 10
Hello,
I live in California, USA and sometimes I go back home (Cambodia, is between Thailand and Vietnam). Of course, I will be feel so tired by the time I get home... it is about 20hours flight and sometimes more.
mostly, I just follow the regular basic thing that people do there... such as eat lunch, sleep or go out... just try to keep myself busy and then I will be forgotten all tired :).
still sometimes, my eyes couldn't open around 5pm ... hahhaa... and it is about 3am in the state, so I just take a little nap. I hate to change thing around but once in a while for my vacation is alright
@luckymichelle (170)
• Singapore
28 Jan 10
Yes I can imagine the GMT in california and cambodia is a vast difference. So adjusting to that can be a prety big challenge. It is only natural that our body clock needs a while to be able to adjust to that. And I heard plenty of hydration is great for the body system in trying to handle jet lag. Try it next time you fly back home!
@maximax8 (31046)
• United Kingdom
28 Jan 10
I flew from London to Los Angeles. I got terrible jet lag. I made the mistake of going to bed early and I woke up at 04.00 local time. It took me a couple of days to adjust.
Next I arrived in Hawaii and the heat hit me. On that leg of my trip I went to sleep on a tropical beach and got sunburned legs.
The best flight I have been on time wise is London to Cape Town because the planes goes through a couple of time zones. The journey is 12 hours but it is easy to handle.
I know that a flight like Singapore to London which is 14 hours is more challenging to handle. The plane goes through many time zones.
I lost a day going over the International Date Line. That felt strange.
I have been to Australia and New Zealand by taking advantage of doing exotic stopovers, side trips and stays.
Yes, keeping with local times and drinking water helps me.
@madteaparty (2748)
• Japan
29 Jan 10
Ah, I have handled with jet lag a few times, and I still don't know how not to be affected by it 
, it's really true that is easier said than done.
I try to sleep in the plane so I'm not tired and I can adjust to the new time in the destination, but is impossible for me to sleep in a plane
, it's really true that is easier said than done.
I try to sleep in the plane so I'm not tired and I can adjust to the new time in the destination, but is impossible for me to sleep in a plane 
@hawaiigirl (13)
• United States
29 Jan 10
You simply go on with what time it is outside and ignore your body wanting in go to sleep. I few back from Hawaii and once I landed at 7:30am, had to be in a lecture at 8am. I was fine, but exhausted that night.
