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Viewing Summer Travel Causes Family Jet Lag: 9 Coping TipsSummer Travel Causes Family Jet Lag: 9 Coping Tips
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It happens when you cross several time zones. Your circadian rhythms get out of synch. It takes you about one day per time zone to adjust. How can a family cope, when all of you are crabby and messed up, and it is supposed to be fun-time? Read on! By Susan Dunn It happens when you cross several time zones. Your circadian rhythms get out of sync. The bad news is that experts consider it takes you about one day per time zone to adjust. How do business travelers do it? More to the point, how does a family do it - when all of you are crabby and messed up, and it is supposed to be fun-time? There you are in treasured Ischia, which incidentally is worse, because it is going eastward (US to Europe) and nobody feels good. However, is it any easier flying to Chichen Itza, one of the 7 wonders of the world? Time in the air is still time in the air. The symptoms are, in order of frequency: lethargy; disordered sleep; fatigue for first 5 days after arrival; dehydration, ENT problems; colds or flu; disorientation; and swelling of limbs. Ninety-four percent of US jet travelers said they had jet lag symptoms, and 45% considered them 'severely bothersome.' (Journal of the Aerospace Medical Association). This is personally why I prefer cruises, but let that pass for now, and we will talk about what you can do for jet lag. 1. Information and preparation. Expect this and plan for it. Adjust your pace, attitude, and expectations, and gently remind your hosts. If you are traveling to visit relatives, they will probably want you to hit the floor running, but it is more prudent to plan little the first day, and simply recoup. I frequently fly from east to west to visit my sister, and I always remind her I will be sleepy the first day. 'No really.' 2. Attitude. Okay, it is good emotional intelligence. Do not let jet lag ruin your vacation. Part of any vacation is enjoying the people you are with. Cut everyone some slack and agree with yourself beforehand to deal with the irritability in a way that is not harmful to yourself and others. For instance, mouthing off to the security guard about having to open your laptop is not going to accomplish anything, except maybe a strip search. Do you need that on top of everything else? 3. Self-awareness is the cornerstone of emotional intelligence. If you travel a lot, you should have learned something about your own adjustment schedule. For instance, when I fly before 10 a.m., the effects of jet lag are far worse than when I fly in the afternoon. Why? It does not matter why, it is just the way I am. Figure this out about yourself and use the information. 4. Use common sense. Avoid caffeine and smoking, drink lots of water, and eat light. More importantly, eat right. It is easy to grab junk food in the airport, especially if you have kids. It is smarter to pack something healthy you know agrees with them, and that they will eat. It is cheaper too! 5. Build your immune system. Wherever you go, and however you get there, you are going to land in a new germ pool. Your immune system is your health. Antibiotics only 'help,' after the fact. Try Get Well Soon Dietary Supplement (susandunn.myarbonne.com). It has pure natural ingredients and no caffeine! 6. Homeopathic remedies. Taking melatonin is one possibility. Melatonin is the hormone secreted by the pineal gland that controls your circadian rhythm. Since there are no long-term studies about the effects, take the least amount possible and only when you arrive. Studies have shown that taking it beforehand does not help, and may possibly make jet lag worse (go figure). In addition, you might want to try Bio-Nutria Herbal Colon Cleanse (susandunn.myarbonne.com). Other remedies that can help are arnica, bellis perennis, chamomilia, ipecacuanha, lycopodium, and valerian. 7. Prepare by sleeping differently. This tip seems impractical to me. You adjust your bedtime and wake time toward the time zone where you are going. For instance, going east to west, go to bed one hour later, wake up one hour later, and do this progressively each day for 3 days. Can you do that? I cannot. I have to work. And try getting a kid to do this! Number 1 is more practical - to catch up on sleep when you get there and take it easy the first 24 hours. You may feel like you are 'missing' something, but in the end, it pays off. 8. Some people swear by the Argonne Jet Lag Diet: netlib.org/misc/jet lag-diet And do not forget the obvious, 9. Avoid jet travel. I happen to live near a port, but maybe you do too, and a cruise is a smart choice for a vacation for many reasons, not the least of which is the jet lag. On a cruise, you can accommodate all ages and tastes, and you can meet and separate easily. Cruises are extremely accommodating to all sorts of disabilities, there is 24/7 room service, they serve most kinds of food (including light and healthy), and many sources of stress are eliminated such as cars, parking, unpacking more than once, getting lost, and getting medical attention if you need it (they have a doctor on board). About the Author: Susan Dunn, Personal Coach: www.susandunn.cc. Susan speaks on cruise lines and is the author of Speak on a Cruise and Travel the World for Pennies: www.webstrategies.cc/acruise.html. Susan offers individual coaching, business programs, etiquette info, Internet courses, eBooks, and coach certificate programs worldwide. Article source: 111 Travel Directory: Triple1.com (triple one dot com) More free articles: 1st Rate Articles - 1stRateArticles.com |
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