best way to deal with NYC Jetlag

Hello one and all,

Quick q.. what's the best way people have found to deal with the Jet Lag to NYC, when you're there for a 4 day little trip so you can maximise your time in the city... leaving on VS3.

Thanks!

I have never experienced any jet lag going to the east-coast; only on return do I feel the effects.
If you want to maximise your time in the city, go for the 003 which will give you an extra half-day there.

VS.

[Neil]

As VS045 has stated I have never suffered jetlag going to NYC, the only thing is that maybe on the first morning I might wake a little early, but for me that is a good thing and allows me even more time to spend enjoying the wonderful city[y]

As with anywhere long haul, you just have to try and adjust to there times as soon as you can, don't go to bed until a normal hour and things like that...

Neil:)

My best tip would be to reset your watch as set as you get on the plane and then look at it frequently. For me, that sort of adjusts my brain to the new time:D

VS.

Have a search on this site for melatonin

Try to adjust yourself the day before you leave, if you can. Go to bed at least 3 hours later and get up later, if possible. Then change your watch to NY time when you board; try to limit your booze intake and drink lots of water (and juice if you wish), at least a pint's worth every 2 hours. If you want water, I recommend going back to Y for it a couple times - the walk will do your legs good.

Booze dehydrates you. I know the 'limit booze' is unfair, but it's a reality that imbibing can make your legs swell and make your head feel rotten. When you have only 4 days in a city, it's a shame to lose time because you had a little too much liquid happiness! Save the imbibing for the trip home if you can.

Part of jetlag is dehydration; don't get dehydrated! Sure, you'll be visiting the lav, but getting yourself on NY time means sleeping with the NY clock. If you're on VS3 you should stay awake if you can! Get friendly with v-port and flip the seat if you want, but stay awake or you'll be up at 0100 and wish you weren't.

Remember, melatonin is over-the-counter at any US drugstore - even grocery stores or the ubiquitous Wal-Mart - you could always get some for the trip home if you wish. Or try No-Jet-Lag. It works.

Have a great trip! Remember to see the window displays - they change every year - you could always whip out a camera and take pix to share with those who won't be visiting the Big Apple for a few more days (or longer).

thanks so much, am overwhelmed by the wonderful response.. thank you for taking the time to write... if ever I can help.. I will!

For me a westbound flight (from the far east) is typically a "going home" for a holiday flight. It is always a daytime flight arriving late afternoon which is around 2am where I have just come from.

As most people say, get your head around the difference quickly, so set your watch to destination time. For me flying from China/Korea this typically means the time back in the UK is @3-4am. Shortly after take off a lot of people seem to be overwhelmed by tiredness and an urge to nap. If it is still sleeping time at your destination, don't fight this urge. I find even a fitful nap in Economy helps reset my brain to destination time.
Once it gets past a sensible wake up time at your destination, stay awake, and when you arrive keep busy until normal destination bed time. Sure you'll be feeling really tired by this time, but you shouldn't have any problem falling into a quality deep sleep, and waking at a reasonable time the next morning.
If you do wake earlier than normal (within reason) don't fight it, get out and make the most of your day.... Hell, who needs sleep for 4 days anyway!

Going back east probably on an overnight flight the only real solution is copious alcohol and a flat bed!

The biggest problem I find, for which i'm not aware of any scientific solution is resetting my stomach and "other" bodily functions... But lets not go into that![:w]

I think the key is that th OP is visiting NYC, it is a 4 day trip. The best thing I can advise is to get VS18 or VS26 home. Both of these are day flights and all but eliminate jet lag for me when I visit NYC for s short trip. I generally suffer east bound Jet Lag very badly but not if I follow my own advice.

Paul

My way to get over jet-lag to wherever is to keep busy on arrival.

Flying back from the US (East or West coast) I make sure that I go straight into work where I have work to do or meetings to attend. Going to New York, I force myself to go out go out shopping, have dinner, catch a show (you can nod off here I suppose)until it is bedtime.

Worst jet-lag is when I have nothing to do after landing.
And always change into a comfy clothes (VS PJs for sure) and get as much shut eye on the flight.

Not mentioned, and it depends why you are going, but on business for short trips I have kept on UK time before. Doesn't work if you are out partying but if you can work early in a hotel before daytime meetings it works well.

Paul, I wouldn't recommend the morning flights on a short NYC trip as this means you pay for an extra night at the hotel without gaining anything for it. However, catching an early flight does limit jet-lag somewhat.

VS.

I'm odd...
I always seem to suffer much worse jet lag when I go west, than east.
Or maybe its just more annoying as I'm generally on holiday when I'm flying west.
I do a few 4 day trips to NY a year I'm generally okay except for the first night when I end up crashing at about 11pm and then waking up at 6am (good for the fleam markets though!)

I'll generally get the VS45 and come back on the VS10. Outbound gives me enough time to freshen up before a night out on the town and the return is late enough to sleep (if I'm in UC).

Take some pro plus although not too late as it'll get you a restless night and enjoy everything this wonderful city has to offer!

dean

I mostly go to NY for just the odd two-day break and have never found jet-lag to be a problem - which is good seeing as one wouldn't have time to adjust in such a small space of time;) I guess it affects everyone differently so there is no one generic answer for everyone.

VS

Hi,

As stated by everyone else (almost) I can only re-inforce the fact that you SHOULD NOT go to bed early on arrival! If you normally go to bed at 11pm in the UK, then go to bed at 11pm new york time when you arrive. Yes as stated earlier you will wake up early the next day, but on your schedule that is a bonus.

I couple of frieds of mine recently went to Florida, and despite numerous people telling them to stay up, they went to bed at 7pm on the day of arrival. The next day they were wide awake at 3am and it took them days to get into the local time.

Also on your return flight you will be tired after 4 days of shopping/working etc. and may be able to sleep which pretty much kills the eastbound jetlag.

Hope this helps.

Neil.

Just come back form LA & Vegas 8 days ago. No probs at all going out but jet lag has nearly killed me coming back. I slept for 15 hours the other day & still felt like !!!! when I woke up. I now cannot stop waking at 5am. Everything is round the wrong way for me. It is taking me ages to recover this time.

Apparently it takes 50% longer on average to adjust when going east - but for me it's more like infintely longer, seeing as I am affected very, very little westbound.

VS.