mrrnice2 157005 Report post Posted October 17, 2011 As an inexperienced traveller I have had issues with jet lag. I realize that it is only a four hour difference from the east coast to the west, but on my last two trips there it took me days to adjust. Leaving from NB at 6 am AST and then arriving in BC at 10 AM sounds great but later on by 7 pm local time my body says it is bedtime! Any suggestions? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EmilyRushton 253372 Report post Posted October 17, 2011 I can recommend, that you turn in by 8pm on your first evening, don't nap on the plane, avoid alcohol and walk on a treadmill for at least 30mins after you arrive. As well pick up spme melatonin. Take it 2 days prior to leaving at night before you go to bed and for the first 2-3 days of your trip. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Code Blue 3585 Report post Posted October 17, 2011 When I have done East to West coasts in one trip for a short time only, I have tried to stick with my home time zone. That only works if the meetings &c finish at around 5-6pm Pacific. I still have a "travel hangover" when I do get home. I have yet to try melatonin, but with my last more protracted trip I looked for some at Lawtons/Shoppers. I could only find it in combination and apparently the chewable form tastes like kitty litter! Emily obviously has more experience than I - :icon_biggrin: CB Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EmilyRushton 253372 Report post Posted October 17, 2011 I have yet to try melatonin, but with my last more protracted trip I looked for some at Lawtons/Shoppers. I could only find it in combination and apparently the chewable form tastes like kitty litter! CB GNC carries it (and you can order online too, I think) and you take one tablet when you are getting ready for bed, it works wonders and I recommend it to anyone who travels, especially with time change your wiped at your destination.... I tend to stay away from any supplement or vitamin from a drug store, they are over priced and not as good as from a store that only carries them (usually a lower dosage is carried at drug stores) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Winnipegcub 21293 Report post Posted October 17, 2011 Agree with what Emily shared. I travel freuqently. For me domestic is fine it is flights to Asia that can kill. In N. America if talking a 2-4 hour difference another suggestion, if practical, is start adjusting a day or 2 before you travel. When we go to day light savings we have that hour. If travelling try and adjust the same way. E to W, maybe stay up a little later and try sleeping in an hour longer. That starts the body adjusting before you've arrived. Happy travels. Cub Posted via Mobile Device Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
qwertyaccount 15793 Report post Posted October 17, 2011 Use Melatonin to re-sync your circadian rhythm, it's available over the counter at most drug stores and Walmart. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melatonin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reddog01 30280 Report post Posted October 17, 2011 Keep hydrated with water and even though you are tired by 7pm stay up until at least 10pm local. Try not to take a nap as I find it screws up your rhythm even worse - unless you are lucky enough to be a habitual napper as part of your lifestyle.... (an alternative is a walk or a bout in the Hotel fitness centre). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mrrnice2 157005 Report post Posted October 17, 2011 Thanks for the help with this. I have the melatonin on hand and the other suggestions will be heeded. I shall know tomorrow evening how it works! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
qwertyaccount 15793 Report post Posted October 17, 2011 Thanks for the help with this. I have the melatonin on hand and the other suggestions will be heeded. I shall know tomorrow evening how it works! Just in case you've never taken it before, the pill goes under your tongue and dissolves in awhile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JuliasUndies 7288 Report post Posted October 17, 2011 VIAGRA!!!! That's all it takes to get it going again from those long flights and time interference. Happy happy times! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
spud271 47779 Report post Posted October 17, 2011 I probably do more long distance short out of anyone on here, and to be honest...I don't get jet lagged. For whatever reason I can adapt to whatever timezone I'm in within 24 hours. No idea how, or why, but I've never had issues with it. Must be the fact I can survive for weeks on 2 to 3 hours of sleep without a problem. Drives the guys who work with me nuts, since they all suffer after one of trips. Don't disappointed if whatever you try doesn't work. I don't think there is a true way to beat it, just let it play itself out. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
conquistador 18487 Report post Posted October 18, 2011 i've traveled a bit by plane and the biggest thing would not to nap during the day and just stay awake until the evening sometime and retire then...i've done this and works for me. Not really sure if you need to take anything else outside of water to keep hydrated. so, don't nap and drink water. let us know how it goes. cheers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GrenadeMan 280 Report post Posted October 25, 2011 Best thing to do is to sleep on the plane. For that get 1. Earplugs - they cancel most of the sound of the airplane. You will still hear announcements but they will be at a very bearable tone. 2. Eyemask - it makes the surrounding dark. If you still have trouble sleeping take Gravol, the anti nausia pill. Take one pill it makes you drowsy and puts you to sleep. I used to travel for work every week from Toronto to all four corners of north america. And when I got off the plane I had to be at a client and work for 8 hours. This is the only way I could do that. And that was to get my sleep during the flight. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mrrnice2 157005 Report post Posted October 26, 2011 Some of you have wondered just how I fared with my jet lag dilemma. Actually, pretty well I think. Here was the process, and I am not sure it would work for everyone but this did for me. I did indeed follow most of Emily Ruston's advice as she wrote in the very first reply here. I did not sleep on the plane. I did use melatonin, as I have been now for quite a while as a matter of routine. The bottom line is that I got up at 4 AM Atlantic time, flew to BC ( 4 hour time difference ), had a three hour walk on the Vancouver waterfront, and went to bed at 3 AM Atlantic time. I got up at 8 AM Pacific time and it has been my normal sleep routine since then. However, there is one flaw in all of this, as based on the scientific method. There was one extra variable. I met Samantha Evans in Vancouver for dinner and we spent an incredible evening together. Time zones and the clock became a non-issues. One wonders if Samantha might be the actual reason for success???? She is as amazing in person as the lady that I have come to know from her writing. The real jet lag solution?? :smile: Oh and thanks JuliasUndies for your advice here, but, not required. :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reddog01 30280 Report post Posted October 26, 2011 Good to hear it worked out. Seeing a lovely lady for dinner and an evening of fun is the obvious solution. I have done this when I crossed the pond and it does work - forgot that advice but you found out yourself! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JuliasUndies 7288 Report post Posted October 26, 2011 Oh and thanks JuliasUndies for your advice here, but, not required. :) LOL!!! You're a lucky man..Samantha is my crush she is DEvine Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GrenadeMan 280 Report post Posted October 27, 2011 Hahhahah never thought of a dinner date being able to solve Jet Lag problems. Well done. I'll keep that in mind for the next time. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest S*rca****sid Report post Posted October 27, 2011 As an inexperienced traveller I have had issues with jet lag. I realize that it is only a four hour difference from the east coast to the west, but on my last two trips there it took me days to adjust. Leaving from NB at 6 am AST and then arriving in BC at 10 AM sounds great but later on by 7 pm local time my body says it is bedtime! Any suggestions? Go to sleep. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SamanthaEvans 166766 Report post Posted October 27, 2011 It was a truly wonderful evening! I'm so glad that you slept well after I left! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
