Alternate Names : Prevention of Jet Lag

Information

Question:
Is there any way to prevent jet lag?

Answer:

• Maintain a sensible bedtime schedule.
• Don't avoid sleeping prior to a trip in order to make yourself tired.
• Consider going to bed earlier for a couple of days, prior to your trip, if you are traveling east. Go to bed later for a couple of days, if you are traveling west.
• For short trips, maintain a schedule of eating and sleeping at your usual time, if possible.
• Drink plenty of liquids, but avoid alcohol and caffeine.
• If you exercise regularly, continue to do so at your destination. Avoid exercising late in the evening because it can keep you awake.
• For important events or meetings at your destination, try to arrive early enough to have time to adjust to the time difference.
• Melatonin, an herbal medication that can be bought at health food stores, can be used to induce sleep when you get to your destination. Some studies have shown that taking 1-3 milligrams of melatonin at bedtime for several days after arrival at your destination may decrease jet lag.
• Transient insomnia associated with jet lag is sometimes treated with hypnotics (sleeping pills).