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What can help with jet lag?

Travel Info
I'm about to go traveling (tomorrow, very early) and I'm going to be flying for over 24 hours. I'm going all the way to Israel. Last time I flew there, I did not suffer jet lag, but I don't know why.

So what I want to know is: does any way exist to prevent or decrease jet lag? Because it is going to be problematic if I feel 10 hours earlier than everyone else there.

Travel Tips

More than about 6 hours in an airplane is really tough, especially if you are in economy class. The result is usually called "jet lag".

The time change is part of "jet lag", but only part. For example, people experience jet lag when traveling from North America to South America even when they don't change time zones. Dehydration caused by dry air in the cabin is as important as the time change, and dehydration can be cumulative + aggravated by your environment/activities before the flight. Jet lag can be much worse on the return leg of a relatively short trip because you never really recovered from the lag incurred on the first leg. It can also be aggravated by what you do between trips.

I have not found anything that eliminates jet lag, but staying hydrated helps reduce it. Water and non-carbonated liquids are best. Avoid drinking a lot of anything with caffeine, including colas. Lots of alcohol also aggravates the dehydration and you may have a hangover before the end of a long flight.

Wear clothing that is comfortable. Especially avoid tight clothing or shoes - your body will swell during a long flight.

Sleeping on the flight (even if it isn't very good sleep) also helps. The seats are MUCH, MUCH better in business and first class on long distance flights so upgrade if you can. If you can't upgrade, select a window seat so you can pile extra pillows & blankets against the interior of the cabin to lean against for a bit of extra comfort. A sleep mask (like www.mindfold.com) and earplugs may help you sleep.

You can choose to take something to help you sleep on the plane, but try it first. Many sleep aids can make you groggy long after you need to wake up. I just use aspirin.

Get up and walk around every few hours. Do some stretching exercises - there is usually room by the exterior doors.

Airlines really try to provide good in-flight entertainment on long distance flights. The airline鈥檚 website may list the films & music available and may even give the menu. However, you can鈥檛 absolutely count on the in-flight entertainment.

Bring one or more books that you have started and know you like. It is really annoying to open a new book on a flight and realize you don't find it interesting. Things like an I-Pod, Gameboy or PSP, MP3 player, and non-electronic options like crossword puzzles are a good idea.

If you have a long layover during the trip, check with the airline(s) to see if you can purchase ($25 to $50) a 1-day pass to their airport lounge. Lounges offer a comfortable, safe place to wait between flights and refreshments are included in the membership. Some lounges even have showers (a Godsend after a long flight). Delta's Crown Room and United's Red Carpet Club are examples.

You may be wasted when you get to your destination, even if you fly business or first class. Don't schedule anything important the day you get there. At least try to avoid driving a car - take taxis.

Speed your body's adjustment to local time by living on the local schedule: Stay awake until local bedtime at your destination and stay in bed until local morning. If you absolutely must take a nap make sure you don't sleep more than 3 hours. Eat meals at the normal local time. And so on.

It still takes me 1 day per hour of time change to fully adjust (a 7 hour time difference takes me a full week to get over). Source(s): Lifelong frequent flier
Other Travel Tips

sleep
I think you can prepare for jet lag by altering your sleeping patterns, but it's probably too late to do that now.