Krje1980 From Norway, joined Feb 2006, 192 posts, RR: 0 Posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 3230 times:
Hello.
I always have an extremely hard time coping with jet lag if I travel eastward across several time zones. Since I live in Europe, I have a really hard time every time I go to Asia, and it usually takes me a whole week to get used to the new time zone. Since my wife is Filipino, we travel quite often to the Philippines, and it really sucks that every time we go there I struggle with insomnia, lack of appetite, upset stomach, etc for the entire first week while she is able to adapt immediately. On west-bound trips jet lag is never a problem for me. I have travelled to the US quite often, and I never have any problem adapting to the time zone there. It is the trip back to Europe which is a killer for me then. Thus, my problem really only affects me on east-bound travels.
I would really appreciate it if anyone could give any tips on how to cope with east-bound jet lag. Are the "No Jet Lag" pills worth taking? Does anyone have any good techniques for adapting faster? Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
N1120A From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 25852 posts, RR: 80 Reply 1, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 3230 times:
Stay up as late as you can, go to bed in a quiet place and you should wake up ok.
Mangeons les French fries, mais surtout pratiquons avec fierte le French kiss
Frequentflyer From United States of America, joined Jul 2005, 736 posts, RR: 3 Reply 2, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 3221 times:
Take the meals at local times as soon as you arrive ; sleep on the plane ; watch alcohol intake ; as soon as you arrive, get outside and get lots of sunlight ; do sports upon arrival ; and of course, try to stick to local sleeping pattenrs as soon as you arrive, even with the help of sleeping pills the first 2 days
ManuCH From Switzerland, joined Jun 2005, 2971 posts, RR: 51 Reply 4, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 3165 times:
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I have the exact same problem you have. All the previous tips are brilliant and help a lot - but I also found those magic melatonin pills. They can't be obtained in all countries, but they're apparently harmless - I tried them, and they did miracles for me. It looks like they "reset" the clock in your body telling you that another day is coming.
It could be placebo effect, but it definitely worked on me.
Try looking for melatonin "jet lag" on google, there are a lot of articles on this. Good luck
CaptainJon From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 5, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 3161 times:
I've heard a lot of people say they have problems with East Bound jet lag. I find it to be much easier to go west for me. though I think it is easier for me to get used to the new time zone when i am going away from home. When I flew from EWR-TLV, took me 2-3 days to get used to the new time. coming home took me 2 weeks. going to LAX from EWR took me 2 days to get used to it, coming home took me more than a week. i know its only 3 hour time difference but i really had a hard time going to bed at 23:00. Though its 02:00 now, and I havnet left the time zone in a few months...
AirPacific747 From Denmark, joined May 2008, 2089 posts, RR: 23 Reply 7, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 3148 times:
When sitting in the plane, figure out what time it is at your destination and start adapting to that by staying up in the plane or sleeping whenever you're supposed to. I find westbound jetlag to be much worse though... interesting...
ZakHH From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 8, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 3138 times:
I have exactly the same problems when I travel to Asia.
Usually, my flights leave early in the morning. I'd usually not sleep the night before, then. Plus, I force myself to not sleep during the flight. Thus, I arrive at the destination late in the evening (local time), and extremely tired. Still, I will take a valerian pill (Baldrian) on the way to the hotel, as it helps me to switch off quicker. They are herbal, so you don't have to worry about side-effects.
The next day, I force myself to get up early (after max. 8 hours sleep), and see to go jogging or do some workout. That helps to find some sleep also the next night. Usually, I feel quite okay the next day then. Does not work always, though.
Westbound is quite easy for me. You have 1 looong day and are very tired in the evening. Some good sleep, and I am fine the next day again.
BNE From Australia, joined Mar 2000, 3156 posts, RR: 13 Reply 9, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 3131 times:
I think the best thing for avoiding jetlag is picking a flight schedule that you can sleep. Arriving at a good time that you can almost go to sleep soon after you arrive.
BNE-UK is 10hours so its hard to adjust; I think of the arriving city time zone as soon as I get on the plane. And then try and sleep or rest when you should be sleeping in the new time zone.
Coming back I try and get a flight departing UK-Europe at lunch time so that 24 hours later I arrive in the evening then going home and going to bed at the normal time;
I usually take about 2 to 3 days to adjust to the new time zone, which isn't too bad. I can adjust quickly in either direction, maybe excitement from the trip but feel worse after returning.
Pity Qantas don't have lunch time departures that get me back to Brisbane in the evening, so they aren't getting my money.
So I think just picking flight times that suit better may help. Also plenty of water and rest during the flight.
Doona From Sweden, joined Feb 2005, 3706 posts, RR: 14 Reply 14, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 5 days ago) and read 3104 times:
Quoting N1120A (Reply 1): Stay up as late as you can, go to bed in a quiet place and you should wake up ok.
This is what I do, I never have any trouble with eastbound jetlag. Now, westbound jetlag is a totally different thing, and the method mentioned above does nothing for me! Any tips?
Cheers
Mats
Sure, we're concerned for our lives. Just not as concerned as saving 9 bucks on a roundtrip to Ft. Myers.
Krje1980 From Norway, joined Feb 2006, 192 posts, RR: 0 Reply 15, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 5 days ago) and read 3097 times:
Thank you for all the tips you guys! I'll be sure to remember this the next time I travel to Asia.
I think it might be a problem that the flights I've taken to Asia usually leave Europe early (around noon) and then arrive in Asia 6-7 a.m. local time the next day. Thus, I find it difficult to sleep on the plane since my body still believes that it is daytime. Upon arriving in Asia (I've used Singapore as transit point on all my trips so far), the local time is morning, but my body now thinks that it is evening and time to sleep. During the transit in Singapore I feel extremely tired, but when evening comes and we have arrived in Manila, I suddenly feel "awake" again and getting any shut-eye the first couple of nights is very hard for me (obviuosly because my body still "thinks" it is day-time).
Going back has always involved a pure red-eye flight (leaving Singapore around midnight), and on these flights I have been able to sleep since it feels "right" to sleep soon after the plane departs. I think I will investigate if I can book a flight leaving Europe in the evening next time I go to Asia. Problem is that I prefer to fly SQ, and most of their departures are in the early parts of the day (unless going through LHR, but I would avoid this airport at all costs if I can).
Business class or first class would be an option, but since I am not made of money, the only way I could fly J would be if I use mileage for an upgrade. I am considering doing this next time I travel to Asia as long as I have enough points of course.
BlueElephant From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2006, 1808 posts, RR: 6 Reply 20, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 3063 times:
I just went to Europe from the US and had no Jet Lag....This is the best way to do it.
Stay up late the night before your departure, and be somewhat sleepy all day....And then fall asleep as soon as you board your flight to Europe.
Assuming your Flight is in the late afternoon, you should be set for sleep at the time of night in Europe...and you'll wake up in the morning... in Europe...
Pers From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 72 posts, RR: 0 Reply 21, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 3053 times:
Another thing that is a help, is to order a strict vegan meals (no dairy/eggs) for your flights. That way you eat food that are light and natural - and the food is really quite good. Also keep the alcohol on the light side and drink plenty of water. It really helps your body and you do not feel like a rag doll when you get to the other end. I try to take sleeping tablets as well, whether east or west bound, both are hard for me to adjust to.
Swiftski From Australia, joined Dec 2006, 2701 posts, RR: 2 Reply 22, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 3013 times:
Quoting Itsnotfinals (Reply 13): The best bet is to sleep as soon as you can upon arrival (3-4 hours max) then try to stay with the local time.
Stronly disagree there; due to family all over the place I travel frequently between Asia and Europe (6-8 times per year for 3 years). I did this the very first time I went, and it was disaster.
Quoting Krje1980 (Thread starter): Stay up as late as you can, go to bed in a quiet place and you should wake up ok.
Agreed.
Get a good flight time, if you can. Set your watch to local time as soon as you board, get as much rest as you can on the plane, then as soon as you land (for a "good" flight time this will be mid morning, IMO - lots of European carriers run like that).
Get a good meal once you arrive, and stay up till 9, 10pm, before getting a good nights rest.
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