Thursday, October 2, 2014

New Jet Lag Survival Plan

It seems every year I have more trouble with jet lag.  Here's my new plan:
  • Avoid clocks, especially ones that tell me what time it is where I left. 
  • Avoid alcohol
  • Avoid heavy meals

Daytime hours: 
  • Sleep when tired, but only for 30 minutes at a time
  • Drink lots and lots of water, I track it by moving the rubber bands up the bottle each time I refill
  • Exercise at least 30 minutes daily, preferably early in the morning

Nighttime hours:
  • Avoid lighted screens after dark.  TV, phone,  Kindle
  • Sleep when tired, but if an hour of tossing and turning, get up, drink water,  read, write.  Continue to avoid lighted screens

I'll let you know how it goes. 
In case you're curious, here's what I've always done before:
  • Stay awake during daylight hours, even when it's really really hard to do so
  • Go to bed at a "decent hour," usually around 10 or so
  • Stay in bed even when tossing and turning
Bad habits I know I should avoid right after these long plane trips: 
  • Checking time "back home" incessantly
  • Updating everyone via social media about my travels. Those lighted screens really wake you up! 
  • Celebrating my arrival or return home with adult beverages
  • Nomnomming on everything new or everything I missed
Wish me luck! 

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