Jet Lag woes

[Bert Bates]

Wow! We just came back from Berlin. In fact we came back early because we were both totally slammed by jet lag. We've travelled to Europe before, sometimes it seems we just get a little jet lag - sometimes it seems to be worse. This was the WORST EVER!

We did some reading and it does seem that there is a concensus that traveling east 8 times zones is about the worst case...but other than that we can't figure out why we got hit so hard this time?

Just curious to know what people do about preventing or minimizing or recovering from jet lag?

[Ulf Dittmer]

West to East: Fly overnight, trying to get as much sleep as possible on the plane. A few glasses of red wine help with that. That way you get there in the early morning, possible a bit short on sleep. Don't go to bed! Push the day as long as possible, to get as close as you can to the rhythm of the new timezone.

East to West: The same, really, except flying during the day. That'll make for a long day after arrival, but again, don't give in to sleep urges. Pull through the day to get as close as possible to the rhythm of the arrival timezone.

I came by these techniques by many flights in both directions. They work so well for me that I barely have any jet lag any more.

Hope you had a good time here (well, apart from the jet lag); sorry to have missed you.

[Harsha Jay]

If you say that, what about the parents travelling with kids.. ouch!!! thats hell. During travel I envy people without kids and a nice fat novel on their handbags.. when my daughter was barely one we took her home, and a lucky passenger was next to us lol.. pity him and pity us too.

Anyways, I think you need to down couple of drinks (wine to whiskey) and get knocked out.

I am not sure if they started offering online access on some flights.

-H

[Mark Spritzler]

Originally posted by Bert Bates:
Wow! We just came back from Berlin. In fact we came back early because we were both totally slammed by jet lag. We've travelled to Europe before, sometimes it seems we just get a little jet lag - sometimes it seems to be worse. This was the WORST EVER!

We did some reading and it does seem that there is a concensus that traveling east 8 times zones is about the worst case...but other than that we can't figure out why we got hit so hard this time?

Just curious to know what people do about preventing or minimizing or recovering from jet lag?

Did you use any headphones?

Basically is you use a Noice Cancelling or Noise Isolation ear phones, and you don't have to listen to anything, they will decrease any jet lag in a huge way. Wehn I went to Berlin, I had my Noise Isolation earphones, and I had zero jet lag, and I used to get it just going West coast to East coast

Mark

[Darya Akbari]

Two years ago I went to New Zealand (with a 2 hour stop in LA) in 34 hours. I think this is the longest flight one can make .

I remember that 1 hour before landing in LA we got our breakfast and approx. 1 hour after taking off again from LA we got our dinner. I still don't know what happened to our lunch :roll: .

Anyway when I arrived finally in Wellington I was like drunken, took a shuttle from the airport to my hotel and was not seen then for the next 24 hours.
[ November 10, 2007: Message edited by: Darya Akbari ]

[Bhiku Mhatre]

Usually, I request my boss to approve flights on Fridays in both directions. Atleast that buys a weekend to recover. However, mere weekend is not enough. A study suggest, human body adjusts 1 hour of jet lag per day.
In fact, I returned today from Mountain Timezone to Central European timezone. I know, coming Monday in office, will be horrible again especially after 15.00. Sometimes I am embarassed.

[Doug Slattery]

Last month, I went on a trip for my 25th high school reunion and to see my parents for a week or so (5 hr. time change). I flew direct from Honolulu to Dallas on the red-eye, and caught short hops to the destination. Normally, I can sleep on flights, but it was soooooo uncomfortable that I only slept 3 of the 7 hour duration. When we landed I was pretty cranky because of why I don't wear a watch, a sore back, and it felt like someone shoved the landing gear up my a$$ . It was the most uncomfortable flight I'd ever been on.

I did my usual deal of staying up most of the night before so I could sleep on the plane as well as tossing a few at the airport pub. Word of advice here ... It's better to toss a few at the airport because if you toss a few too many before checking in, they won't let you on the plane !

On the return trip, I used the experience and experimented with a combination of my pillow, blanket and jacket to get more comfortable. It seemed to work as I slept about 5 of the 8 hour duration -and- I was on the same plane and seat.

Traveling for business, I always try to fly on a Friday or Saturday to get at least a day to recoup. I don't care if I'm on vacation, because I'm already charged about the trip anyway.

Aloha,
Doug

-- Nothing is impossible if I'mPossible

[Arun Bommannavar]

Originally posted by Mark Spritzler:


Basically is you use a Noice Cancelling or Noise Isolation ear phones,
Mark

Interesting. I am looking to buy one soon...make it very soon. What brand/model do you recommend? I'd say < $150 would be my cap.

Any experience with Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7
Arun

[Pat Farrell]

going west to east is rough.
Most folks recommend avoiding booze in the air, it tends to dehydrate you.
Get your local doctor to give you a prescription for some Ambien. its cheap, works great. Take them in the gate area before getting on the plane, then sleep

I generally can fly to Europe sleep on the plane, and sort of work the next day. Its the second day that is hell for me.

As others have suggested, flying Friday, and playing tourist is a great approach

[Mark Spritzler]

Originally posted by Arun Bommannavar:


Interesting. I am looking to buy one soon...make it very soon. What brand/model do you recommend? I'd say < $150 would be my cap.

Any experience with Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7
Arun

I have the Shure E3s Noise Isolation Earplugs, which I found online for $129. I like them a lot and do the trick. There are definitely more expensive one's out there that will sound much better, and I know a lot of musician types that don't like anything Shure, but I enjoy them. With In ear noise isolation, you need to make sure you can be comfortable with them deep in your ear, I have no issues, but I also know some really do.

As far as Noise Cancellation, I tried a few of them, and always had some issue, from it hurting my head because of no padding. With Noise Cancellation, you won't be able to use them for take off or landing, the airlines make you turn them off during those times, that is why I also liked the Noise Isolation, because it is natural and not electronic.

Back to your regularly scheduled Jet Lag thread, no more hijacking.

Mark

[marc weber]

Originally posted by Mark Spritzler:
...I know a lot of musician types that don't like anything Shure...

I'm a musician type, and I like Shure. I haven't tried their headphones, but their DJ cartridges and live-performance mics are classic, road-proven gear.

[fred rosenberger]

My wife found an article not too long ago on how to make your own noise cancelleation headphones.

You buy a pair of shooting hearing protectors, and a cheap pair of walkman style headphones. dissassemble both, put the speakers inside the protectors, close back up, and you're done.

granted, it's not an ACTIVE noise cancellation, but if you are simply trying to reduce ambient noise, it may work.

I'll see if she still has the link.

[v ray]

How does drinking some vodka help/hinder the sleep on the plane? I'm thinking, if I can down a few drinks, i'll fall asleep only to wake up at the right times, so I will barely feel most of the flight?

[Arun Bommannavar]

Originally posted by v ray:
How does drinking some vodka help/hinder the sleep on the plane? I'm thinking, if I can down a few drinks, i'll fall asleep only to wake up at the right times, so I will barely feel most of the flight?

It will probably work for you. Its the passengers close to you who have to worry. I read somewhere that alcohol increases snoring.
[ November 13, 2007: Message edited by: Arun Bommannavar ]