One of the worst parts about traveling is the fact that the farther you go the more likely you’ll deal with Jet Lag. To make sure that more of your time is spent exploring a new culture with energy and awareness, try our Jet Lag remedy. Your plan will vary depending on if you’re heading east vs. west, but for this example we’ll use a direct flight departing from Atlanta at 8:30 p.m. and arriving in Paris at 11:30 a.m.

Purchase – Buy in advance: compression socks (helps with blood circulation), Ambien or another similar prescribed sleeping pill, eye mask and ear plugs.
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Window – When you book your flight, request a window seat so you can sleep without someone disturbing you to get up during the flight.
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Hydrate – The day you fly don’t drink caffeine or alcohol, but have lots of water. Airplanes dehydrate you so you’ll want to counter that.
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Time Zone – As soon as you check in for your flight change your watch and start thinking/acting like it’s the time zone of your destination.
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Walk – When you arrive at the airport, until you board, try to not sit down and walk as much as possible. You’ll be sitting for 9 hours, so keep your legs moving while you can.
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Food -  Since your flight departs at 8:30 p.m. you’ll want to sleep as soon as you take off. That means skip the meal and movies on the flight and eat before you board.
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Sleep – When you board, take your Ambien and use your mask and ear plugs. Don’t drink anything but water to avoid dehydration, sodium, and sugar. Hopefully you’ll be able to sleep for at least 6 hours.
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Hydrate II – Ideally you’ll wake up about the time they are serving breakfast on the flight. Immediately drink a bottle or two of water to cleanse your system. Have a coffee. Stretch your legs.
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Arrival – When you land get on that time zone’s meal schedule. Load up on water, coffee, walking and being in the sun. Try not to nap and stay awake until 10 p.m. then take another Ambien. In the morning you will have hopefully minimized your jet lag and be ready for adventure.
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Return – Coming home is a little different, but all the same principles apply: adjust your lifestyle to the right time zone and take care of your body.

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This entry was posted on Friday, June 12th, 2009 at 1:40 pm and is filed under Knowledge, Travel.