Advice for beating jetlag?

OK, I know it's rather random, but would be handy.

Also, I get that 'don't go to sleep' is a general thing, but advice on how to not go to sleep would also be welcomed.

 

Do what the guy in Die Hard suggested:

Take off your shoes and socks, walk around on the carpet and make fists with your toes.

 

Take the train?

 

I use the same technique I do for working nights, allow your self a couple of hours compensatory sleep somewhere on the first day then go to be at the usual time as per the local clock

 

Don't fly.

 

That's not helpful for people who are crossing the ocean, or if there's no train service.

 

I'm sure I saw something about trans-oceanic trains in Popular Science nigh on 40 years ago. They have to be using them by now.

 

Melatonin (available off the shelf in US, but not in UK). And light, lots of it.

Where are you flying, and how long for?

 

I'm paying close attention to this thread as well, since my dad and i are going to Germany for the Oktoberfest and I've never had to deal with jet lag like this before (the only other countries I've visited are Canada and Mexico). I will probably fall asleep as soon as we get to our hotel, I hope this will be enough.

There's been some talk about a Transatlantic Tunnel but I don't know if there are any serious plans on the table. It would cost billions and probably take decades to build.



It does look super cool, though. I hope they can make it work. Imagine being able to travel between New York and London in ONE HOUR...

 

Thanks for the advice guys. I just flew from Vancouver to London, and have spent the last 48ish hours having no real eating or sleeping routine.

Seem to be ok this morning though, so hopefully can keep it up.

 

That’s a long flight. Glad you’re feeling better!!

I can’t imagine flying that long. I am terrified of being in a plane crash, to the point where the thought of being on a plane gives me heart palpitations.

I wish there was something you could do for that, aside from copious amounts of Xanax.

 

Make sure you drink enough water... flying can be very dehydrating.

 

A week before your flight, start getting up an hour earlier each day.

 

I used to find flying out (both east and west) ok if I got into routine on landing. It was returning to UK that usually drained life out of me . Hope you feel better soon.

 

Actually had a really good day yesterday and thought I'd got it sorted. Then woke up late today, totally blamimg it on the noisy dorm mates being loud and getting up at all hours keeping me up.

 

in my experience it takes at least a week to get into the new rhythm. If your dorm mates are too loud, try earplugs. I can particularly recommend the custom made silicone ones. Or maybe you could switch to a different (more quiet) dormitory?
The Melatonin is certainly a factor. I find that I have no probs staying awake as long as the sun is up. But after sunset the jet lag will catch up with me, even after 2 weeks (I used to fly from MUC to LAX - 14 hours flight time, 9 hours time difference)

 

Thanks for your advice, but it was a few weeks ago now, and I'm all back to normal. Unfortunately after 4 months away this also means back to work as well though....

 

Getting back into my normal routine at work has been a great way to beat jet lag (after my Germany vacation). It also helps that I get up early anyway...my shift starts at 6 AM so I am up by 5, and thus my internal clock is already off a bit.

 

Yep, I'm aware of that but thought it might come handy for your next intercontinental trip and for others who suffer from the same prob and read this thread.