Jet Lag solutions

Try as I might after years of searching I still cannot find a solution to the 7-10 days of jetlag I suffer everytime I fly to Australia only to go through it all over again when I get home. My husband on the other hand arrives as if he has just got off the tube at Holborn.

The latest Sydney UC sale fare has prompted a number of you to arrange trips (some just for the weekend) and I would love to hear what works for you?

Thankyou in anticipation........[y]

[mcmbenjamin]

Recently I have not been sleeping more than 4 to 5 hours total in a 24 hour period. Basically just is a rearrangement of my naps. Imagine it is the same for many.

quote:Originally posted by mcmbenjamin
Recently I have not been sleeping more than 4 to 5 hours total in a 24 hour period. Basically just is a rearrangement of my naps. Imagine it is the same for many.


Thank you Mcmbenjamin, I find this so difficult and have been known to fall asleep mid sentence. If i do manage to stay awake, the first night is OK but it just seems to delay the process and it kicks off 24 hours late!

I can cope with the New York or Washington flights relatively easily but anything longer is a killer.

[Decker]

Last year I did several 'leave LHR on Sat, arrive AKL Monday morning start work. Work Mon - Fri, leave Friday evening arrive LHR Saturday'. I found that HackneyGuy's solution worked for me although I used the melatonin on the flights and on return not beforehand. I did the majority of the drinking on the first 12 hours ensuring the second twelve hours involved a lot of sleep.

quote:Originally posted by Decker
I found that HackneyGuy's solution worked for me although I used the melatonin on the flights ...


and my 'solution' has dissapeared [:?]

Hackneyguy

I have been using Melatonin for several years and swear by it. Adjust yourself to local time and get a good first night sleep and it makes a huge difference.

Always take melatonin for at least 5 nights so that you stay asleep

And always turn your mobile off - nothing worse than a phone call half way through the night and usually from someone irrelevant trying to sell you something

Light is the thing supposed to reset our timeclock.
Stay outdoors or in bright lights for as much of the new day as possible.

I find that a good rest on the plane on the way out and back, really helps me.

It's been a lot better since I started using some Bose QC2 headphones.

On the longer flights i.e West Coast US, I east on board, and go to sleep as soon as possible. Using an UC eyeshade, headphones and blanket and sometimes a footrest, as I mostly travel in PE or Y at an exit row.

I don't use Melatonin.

If I am somwehere only for a week or so, and do not have any evening engagements, i.e no friends ! I usually go to bed really early and get up around 6am.

It took me quite a while to find this routine that works for me.

I also have a rule of no alcohol once in the air, after I saw a seat neighbour being given oxygen when I work up because he drunk himself all the way back from SFO.

It's not easy to find a routine that works for you, I hope the advice from everyone helps you.

Mark

[honey lamb]

quote:Originally posted by hackneyguy
quote:Originally posted by Decker
I found that HackneyGuy's solution worked for me although I used the melatonin on the flights ...


and my 'solution' has dissapeared [:?]

Hackneyguy

No it hasn't. It's on another thread.

Jacki started this as a separate thread

[Decker]

So glad I read to the end of the thread before pointing that out HL. Sorry for cross threading!

quote:Originally posted by honey lamb
quote:Originally posted by hackneyguy
quote:Originally posted by Decker
I found that HackneyGuy's solution worked for me although I used the melatonin on the flights ...


and my 'solution' has dissapeared [:?]

Hackneyguy

No it hasn't. It's on another thread.

Jacki started this as a separate thread

Apologies I didn't want to go off topic so started my own thread.
Thank you everyone, looks like I will be giving Melatonin another go as it seems to work for most of you.[y]

I tried taking melatonin but never found it worked all that well for me. I have done two trip to Melbourne in the past 4 months or so, and am now a huge fan of Nytol which can be bought over the counter from any UK pharmacy. It is an antihistamine and never fails to work for me. I take just take one tablet for the first four days of the trip and the four days when I get back home and have never had a broken night sleep

[honey lamb]

quote:Originally posted by Jacki
quote:Originally posted by honey lamb
quote:Originally posted by hackneyguy
quote:Originally posted by Decker
I found that HackneyGuy's solution worked for me although I used the melatonin on the flights ...


and my 'solution' has dissapeared [:?]

Hackneyguy

No it hasn't. It's on another thread.

Jacki started this as a separate thread

Apologies I didn't want to go off topic so started my own thread.
Thank you everyone, looks like I will be giving Melatonin another go as it seems to work for most of you.[y]


In my view it was the right thing to do rather than hi-jacking the original thread. It also makes it easier to search.

I use FlyRight when traveling and have found it to help massively. I got into LA this morning after an 8pm flight from London to New York yesterday and a 7am flight from New York to LA. It's now 6pm and I'm sat looking at the beach in the sun and haven't felt the jet lag pangs at all. http://jetlagformula.com/ is their website.

quote:Originally posted by mediamonkey
I use FlyRight when traveling and have found it to help massively. I got into LA this morning after an 8pm flight from London to New York yesterday and a 7am flight from New York to LA. It's now 6pm and I'm sat looking at the beach in the sun and haven't felt the jet lag pangs at all. http://jetlagformula.com/ is their website.


Very interesting mediamonkey, I've never seen this product before - is it just personal preference or do you find either the tabs or liquid work better? I have tried 'No more Jetlag' but it didn't make any difference.

I'd give anything to be sitting on a beach in the sun jet lagged or not but you have it all! [:D]

quote:Originally posted by ukcobra
I find that a good rest on the plane on the way out and back, really helps me.

It's been a lot better since I started using some Bose QC2 headphones.

On the longer flights i.e West Coast US, I east on board, and go to sleep as soon as possible. Using an UC eyeshade, headphones and blanket and sometimes a footrest, as I mostly travel in PE or Y at an exit row.

I don't use Melatonin.

If I am somwehere only for a week or so, and do not have any evening engagements, i.e no friends ! I usually go to bed really early and get up around 6am.

It took me quite a while to find this routine that works for me.

I also have a rule of no alcohol once in the air, after I saw a seat neighbour being given oxygen when I work up because he drunk himself all the way back from SFO.

It's not easy to find a routine that works for you, I hope the advice from everyone helps you.

Mark


Hi ukcobra - some Bose QC2 headphones are now on the shopping list. I've heard them mentioned a few times on here so must be worth a try.

Thank you everyone for all your tips, I really do appreciate it. [^]

Hi Jacki, I've only used the liquid which tastes okay, not amazing but you get used to it. Will get some pills when this batch runs out. It might all be psychological but I certainly feel better for taking it, the spark is still there which you often miss when jetlagged and my sleep patterns get back to normal much quicker.

I'm still not sleeping properly after returning from LA on the 27th. Last night(this morning) I was still awake at 3am even though I'd gone to bed at 11pm dropping with fatigue.

Not too much longer - hopefully.

quote:Originally posted by gilly
I'm still not sleeping properly after returning from LA on the 27th. Last night(this morning) I was still awake at 3am even though I'd gone to bed at 11pm dropping with fatigue.

Not too much longer - hopefully.


Poor you, they say it takes 1 day for each time zone so you should be over it soon .

[|)]

quote:Originally posted by David Glickman
I tried taking melatonin but never found it worked all that well for me. I have done two trip to Melbourne in the past 4 months or so, and am now a huge fan of Nytol which can be bought over the counter from any UK pharmacy. It is an antihistamine and never fails to work for me. I take just take one tablet for the first four days of the trip and the four days when I get back home and have never had a broken night sleep


I second this one. Nytol is my secret weapon. Helps put me to sleep when my mind/body says no. From that point I seem to right myself. I make sure I'm exposed to the sun at the right times for my location too.

Also use it onboard a night flight. Despite a flat bed I still can't sleep without it. May hamper my escape in an emergency or it might help me be more oblivious to impending doom.

quote:Originally posted by mcnaugha
quote:Originally posted by David Glickman
I tried taking melatonin but never found it worked all that well for me. I have done two trip to Melbourne in the past 4 months or so, and am now a huge fan of Nytol which can be bought over the counter from any UK pharmacy. It is an antihistamine and never fails to work for me. I take just take one tablet for the first four days of the trip and the four days when I get back home and have never had a broken night sleep


I second this one. Nytol is my secret weapon. Helps put me to sleep when my mind/body says no. From that point I seem to right myself. I make sure I'm exposed to the sun at the right times for my location too.

Also use it onboard a night flight. Despite a flat bed I still can't sleep without it. May hamper my escape in an emergency or it might help me be more oblivious to impending doom.


This sounds promising, - I have used Nytol in the past to block out my husband's snoring and it did work but have never thought about taking it for jet lag.

Do you take another tablet if you wake up in the middle of the night ? I find sleeping pills generally knock me out completely but only for about 4 hours or so .

Thank you everyone, I feel sure amongst all your tips I will find something that will work for me and hopefully others too. [oo]