Long-haul travel can get you to some amazing places, like Pattaya – then jet lag spoils the first few days.
There are ways to overcome it, says Dr. David O’Connell, author of ‘Jetlag: How to beat it.’
If you shift time zones by more than six hours on a trip that’s at least three days, it’s worth taking these steps:
1. Adjust your watch before boarding the plane or even the night before. On the aircraft, act according to your “local time.”
2. At you destination, force your body clock to adapt straight away. If you need to stay awake when you feel like sleeping, listen to upbeat music, work on a crossword, take exercise, eat chocolate or drink coffee. To make yourself sleep, darken your surroundings, drink milk, eat yogurt, chicken or tuna, take aspirin or a herbal sedative (such as passionflower).
3. Take melatonin supplements when you’re on the plane and it’s your destination’s bedtime. Combine with either a sleeping pill or alcoholic nightcap, and use for several further nights.
For more information, speak with your family doctor.
Live long and prosper.
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