jet lag tips and tricks

[frostfire]

I realize some of you must have been world travelers with 15+ hours stretch of flight. Now that I am doing this on a frequent basis, perhaps you can share what works for you.

I've done a few tricks myself. No, $$$ business class is not the answer. What I have done so far is to force the body into the destination time zone, thus tricking the circadian rhythm:
- About 12 to 24 hours pre departure, I either sleep or stay awake following the time zone. Booze or energy drink titrate to effect.
- During the flight, I do likewise. Stay disciplined and doze off skipping all the movies, and vice versa. Booze and coffee titrate to effect.
- Finally I change the food intake timing as well. Force myself to eat on the destination breakfast, lunch, and dinner time in the plane and prior to departure.
I found that these combined with exercise following usual time routine at the destination immediately upon arrival (just like acclimatization to weather) tremendously minimize, if not eliminate jet lag. I am fully functional upon landing and not being in a fog. The waking up at 3 and 4 am is the hardest one to overcome.

I imagine when you are deployed across the world and several time zones over, you don't have much luxury of adjustment. So what works other than just gutting it out?

[Combat Diver]

Usually I get in mid mornings where ever I fly to. Force myself to stay awake and get on the local pattern. Takes a day or two for me to adjust. Bowels take the longest to adjust to time.

CD

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Combat Diver

Usually I get in mid mornings where ever I fly to. Force myself to stay awake and get on the local pattern. Takes a day or two for me to adjust. Bowels take the longest to adjust to time.

CD

Ditto - plan arrival for the morning. You'll be tired from the trip but stay up until at least 8ish at night - 10 if you can do it.

We used to laugh at the troops doing the Camp Doha Shuffle during the middle of the night. They would have crashed early afternoon and then wake up around 10 PM and just wander around until they got tired again.

[JJ_BPK]

Most of my flights are DC to UK,, other 1/2 coming back

I found I do well if I

1)sleep as much as I can on the plane
2)I drink lots of water and/or fruit juice, no caffeine or booze, PEE lots
3)only eat the proteins & veggies in the meals, no sugar or starch
4)re-start caffeine after landing, BUTT moderately
5)push to normalize sleeping pattern, try to stay up until 11PM

My $00.00002

[Aequitas]

You make fists with your toes!

[PSM]

Originally Posted by Aequitas

You make fists with your toes!

But hang on to your damn shoes!

[Penn]

The one great thing/trick, I learned in the Army was to sleep whenever I could. Most recently, the 2011 Thanksgiving Cook for the Regiment, that TS set-up, that I am forever grateful for, I have a number of photographs of 3rd Grp guys, crashed out on the hard cold deck of the C-17's wrapped peaceful dreams.

[mojaveman]

Originally Posted by JJ_BPK

...no caffeine or booze...

For me the most important detail. Not even after arriving for awhile.

[InnaK]

N/A

[Pete]

Originally Posted by InnaK

Have you tried beieng gluten free at least for a week....

Oh, please. Most were in before this fad developed - and ate what the mess hall served. Others? The gluten free menu is not that widely available on the other side of the world.

And you'll say be gluten free here before you go. What about coming back?

Signed - non gluten free cheese eater from way back.

[SF_BHT]

Were non gluten free and and proud of it.

Ohhhh we eat meat also and hunt.....

Read more and post less gluten free info.

[Guy]

Originally Posted by Pete

Oh, please. Most were in before this fad developed - and ate what the mess hall served. Others? The gluten free menu is not that widely available on the other side of the world.

And you'll say be gluten free here before you go. What about coming back?

Signed - non gluten free cheese eater from way back.

Originally Posted by SF_BHT

Were non gluten free and and proud of it.

Ohhhh we eat meat also and hunt.....

Read more and post less gluten free info.

I eat whatever the fuck, whenever I want, especially if I'm working all day long.

As far as sleep...FIDO!

[frostfire]

Originally Posted by JJ_BPK

Most of my flights are DC to UK,, other 1/2 coming back

I found I do well if I

1)sleep as much as I can on the plane
2)I drink lots of water and/or fruit juice, no caffeine or booze, PEE lots
3)only eat the proteins & veggies in the meals, no sugar or starch
4)re-start caffeine after landing, BUTT moderately
5)push to normalize sleeping pattern, try to stay up until 11PM

My $00.00002

I forgot to mention that the 15 hours is just one stretch. My current total flight is between 27 to 35 hours depending on flight availability.

That only protein and veggies seem to go along with the gluten free. Fad or not, I am all for what works.

Hmmmm, I do need all the carbs from the starch and desserts to counter all the booze though....I mean talking about getting the best bang for your buck! Keep the wine and baileys going

[JJ_BPK]

Originally Posted by frostfire

I forgot to mention that the 15 hours is just one stretch. My current total flight is between 27 to 35 hours depending on flight availability.

That's a lot of hours..

My daughter lives with her family in London. SiL is Aussy, so a couple times a yr they fly London to Sydney,, runs 30 hrs.. Very fortunate that the G-kids(age 6 & 2) are super flyers. This past Christmas they did London to Singapore for 16hr, 3 hr layover, then a short 8hr hop to Sydney. :[ Not fun..


I'm not new age, the avoidance of carbs on flights was suggested by my doctor. He said the conversion of starch to sugar was GAS problem at altitude.. I would order the kosher meal, which was usually boiled shrimp and a salad.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by JJ_BPK

....I'm not new age, the avoidance of carbs on flights was suggested by my doctor. He said the conversion of starch to sugar was GAS problem at altitude.. I would order the kosher meal, which was usually boiled shrimp and a salad.....

I consider meals on an airplane just a snack - never enough to even take the edge off. Short hops with a "snack" and a drink are insulting.

Got better meals on a 141 with a comfort pallet when the Crew cooked those TV dinners - plus they had endless coffee.