| Coping With Jet Lag |
| Monday, 20 December 2010 19:28 | |||
 Between Airports, December 2010 — With the economy showing signs of turning around, more of us will be traveling by air this holiday season, and depending on how far that trip will take you back and forth, jet lag could be a problem, causing the first hours at your destination at the very least to be rather foggy and uncomfortable.
As most everyone who has traveled any distance by air knows, the primary cause for jet lag is the time zones we fly from, through and to — and it’s usually rougher going east rather than west. Children, less rigid in their lifestyles, tend not to suffer so much, but adults, who usually are bound by a fixed routine, are more seriously affected. One thing you can do to alleviate the negative effects of long-range travel is to prepare for the journey as best you can, both mentally and physically. If you can stave off or control being overly-tired, stressed, nervous or eating and drinking too much alcohol, you’ll going in the right direction. And by far the best thing you can do is to get a good night’s sleep. You’re kidding yourself if you think you can ‘catch up on the flight.’ You won’t. After you get on the plane, you’ll experience the dryness of the cabin. The best recipe for keeping headaches, dry skin and dry nasal and throat conditions (which can make you susceptible to colds) at arm’s length is to drink a lot of water. Coffee, tea, alcohol and fruit juices are not what you need; you need water. Speaking of booze, the effect of alcohol on your system is greater when you’re at 30,000 feet. Consuming alcohol while on a flight will just make everything else worse. And where food is concerned, try not to consume heavy, salty or fatty foods, and be especially wary of meals served over some parts of the world that your internal organs might not be used to. Unless you’re luxuriating in first class, you’re already sitting in a rather cramped position, which is putting pressure on your stomach — so be wary. Exercise is going to be limited, so do everything you can to move and stretch your extremities. Stretch in your seat as much and as often as you can without disturbing those around you, and walk up and down the aisle on extra long flights. If you have a vacant seat next to you, get your feet up. Keeping your blood moving around is a good idea no matter where you are. When you arrive at your destination, if the sun is shining, stand in its rays for awhile, and take advantage of the sun’s life-giving benefits. Following these bits of advice should help make your visit a rewarding one. Happy Holidays. SOURCE: Several
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