Aviation Information

Jet Lag - You Can Suffer From It...Or You Can Do What This International Airline Captain Does


Whatever the reason for your travel, you have made a considerable investment. It costs you time and money. If you're stuck in a hotel room suffering from jet lag symptoms, you're missing out.

Obviously, you'd like to make the most of your trip. You will get the greatest return on your investment if you're out of your hotel room enjoying your destination. I can help you achieve this.

"What Is Jet Lag?"

In simple terms, jet lag is the disruption of your body's internal clock, or circadian rhythm. This clock sets your sleeping and waking times. It is complex and sensitive. Flying east or west messes it up. That's because you cross time zones much faster than your body can adjust.

What are common jet lag symptoms? They include:

* Headache

* Disorientation

* Anxiety

* Exhaustion

* Indigestion

* Dehydration

* Impaired Coordination

Obviously, these things could ruin your trip. Following these guidelines will reduce your jet lag symptoms and let you enjoy your trip even more.

I'll break this discussion into three sections:

* Before Your Trip

* During Your Flight

* At Your Destination

A. Help Prevent Jet Lag Before You Leave Home

1. Get Plenty Of Sleep. NASA found that getting as much sleep as possible beginning two days before your trip is significant in minimizing jet lag symptoms.

2. Reduce Your Stress. All that running around can make you more stressed.

3. Exercise. If you exercise regularly, make it a priority to keep that routine just before you travel. Also, continue it at your destination.

B. Things You Can Do During Your Flight To Reduce Jet Lag

1. Arrive Early At The Airport. Not rushing to make your flight will help reduce stress and make you more relaxed. That way you'll rest better on the plane.

2. Begin Adjusting To The New Time Zone And Schedule. When you get on the plane, set your watch to your destination's time. Then think about when you'll eat and sleep there. Try to begin eating and sleeping at those times.

3. Sleep As Much As You Can On the Plane. This is a key factor in reducing jet lag.

4. Wear Comfortable clothing. Comfortable clothes, warm socks and a sweater will enable you to sleep better.

5. Drink Plenty of Water. Not soda, not alcohol, not caffeine, but water.

6. Get Up and Stretch Frequently.

7. Use a Footrest. If you're tall, it takes strain off of your lower back. If you're not so tall (or a child), and if your feet don't touch the floor, this helps prevent cramps behind your thighs.

8. Loosen Your Shoes to get some extra circulation to your feet.

9. Avoid Pills and Supplements. There was a study reported in England's Lancet Medical Journal. It blamed 18% of deaths during long-haul flights from blood clots in the lungs. Sleeping pills cause you to sleep without any body movement. This reduces your circulation and increases the chance of blood clotting.

C. Adjusting At Your Destination

1. Try To Eat On The New Schedule. This helps your body clock adjust to minimize your jet lag symptoms.

2. Try To Sleep On The New Schedule.

3.Exercise. This is also among the important jet lag remedies. If you have a regular exercise routine, you'll want to continue it now.

4. Get out in the Sunlight. This is simple to accomplish as long as you have a sunny day.

Studies have shown that exposure to bright light helps shift the circadian rhythms (body clock), and therefore reduce the jet lag symptoms.

That's just a brief overview. I highly recommend that you read my complete jet lag article before you go on your next long trip. You can find it on my web site.

Copyright 2005 by Ph.Developments USA, Inc. All rights reserved.

Pilot Paul M. is a captain at a major U.S. airline. He also hosts http://www.Pilot-Pauls-Travel-Accessories.com where an airline captain helps you with your travel needs.

If you would like to learn more travel tips, see travel accessory reviews and recommendations, learn insider's secrets, find travel discounts, or receive our FREE newsletter click on the link below:

Click here for Pilot Paul's Travel Accessories

Thanks and have a great trip!

Pilot Paul M.


MORE RESOURCES:

Aviation group works to promote safety reporting
Houston Chronicle, United States - 11 hours ago
But recent surveys have revealed that in Europe and elsewhere such incidents are increasingly going unreported because aviation professionals fear ...


WNCT

WORLD & NATION UPDATE: AT HOME
Newsday, NY - 9 hours ago
Nguyen was a CH-47 Helicopter Flight Engineer with Company B, 3rd Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade. He joined the division earlier this month and ...
Soldier dies during morning PT at Fort Bragg ArmyTimes.com
Army Airborne soldier dies during training Live 5 News
all 122 news articles


Reuters

Aircraft mechanic gets prison for fraud
The Patriot-News - PennLive.com, PA - 12 hours ago
BY JOHN BEAUGE WILLIAMSPORT - Brian Daniel Snyder, the aircraft mechanic who the Federal Aviation Administration says compromised the safety of about 180 ...
11 Air Carriers Violated Safety Rules, FAA Says New York Times
FAA to Get High Marks in Report Wall Street Journal
FAA: Safety audit shows airline’s in compliance 98 percent of the time Bizjournals.com
Reuters - CNN
all 287 news articles


KCAA puts bogus aviation colleges on notice
Business Daily Africa, Kenya - 1 hour ago
September 8, 2008: Bogus aviation colleges have been put on notice with the coming into force of new regulations governing the industry. ...


Few Attend Aviation Association's Meeting On Safety Standards
KTNV Las Vegas, NV - Sep 6, 2008
The Clark County Aviation Association wants the public to know their pilots play it safe. In the wake of two crashes in less than a week, the public says ...
Concerned, but staying put Las Vegas Sun
Pilots defend safety of small planes Las Vegas Review - Journal
North Las Vegas Residents Hold Airport Safety Meeting KLAS-TV
Fox5 KVVU - KVBC
all 12 news articles


Pilot killed in crash before Reno air races
San Jose Mercury News,  USA - 22 hours ago
Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor says the female pilot was killed Saturday morning at Reno Stead Airport when the wings of her homebuilt ...
Reno air races pilot killed in crash KTVN
Reno air races pilot killed in crash Press-Enterprise
Pilot death: New Jersey resident flying 'Little Lynn' Reno Gazette Journal
Salt Lake Tribune - KLAS-TV
all 41 news articles


CCTV

China,US cooperate on aviation executive training
CCTV, China - 6 hours ago
China is doing all it can to meet the demands of a rapidly expanding aviation industry. It's also looking overseas for new methods to boost the quality of ...


Nigeria: Aviation Fund - 'How We Escaped Death Threats'
AllAfrica.com, Washington - 9 hours ago
Almost one month after the Senate Committee on Aviation concluded its pubic sitting on the N19.5 billion Presidential Aviation Intervention Fund, ...


Aviation fund scam: EFCC arraign Borishade, others Sept 22
The Punch, Nigeria - Sep 5, 2008
By Agency reporter An Abuja High Court on Friday ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to arraign former Minister of Aviation, Prof. ...
N19.5bn Aviation Fund: EFCC after Borishade, Fani-Kayode, Iyayi Vanguard
all 3 news articles


EKU aviation program moving back to Madison County
Richmond Register, KY - 54 minutes ago
By Bill Robinson Eastern Kentucky University’s aviation program is moving back to Madison County, President Doug Whitlock told the board of regents Saturday ...

Aviation - Google News

home | site map
© 2006