Jet Lag
On average, the body needs about one day for every time zone crossed in order to adjust to jet lag. So for a trip from New York to London, which is five time zones away, it takes at least five days for the body’s temperature and hormonal rhythms to adjust to the new time.
You can mitigate some of the symptoms of jet lag by following the tips below. Click on a direction of travel.
- Traveling East
The Flight
- Take a flight that arrives fairly early in the morning.
- Eat a healthy dinner before getting on the flight.
- Avoid the food, caffeine, alcohol and entertainment.
- Use earplugs, noise-canceling headphones, eye masks.
- Sleep as much of the flight as you can.
On Arrival
- Eat a healthy and substantial breakfast.
- Take a cool (not hot) shower when you arrive.
- Go for a walk outside / exercise.
- Take a short nap in the afternoon.
- Stay up until 10 pm.
- Traveling West
The Flight
- Take an afternoon flight which arrives early evening.
- Avoid prolonged sleep on the plane (short naps ok!).
On Arrival
- Stay awake (short nap ok!).
- Eat a healthy dinner.
- Take a hot shower before going to bed.
- Go to bed around 10pm.
- Get up early (when you wake).
- Eat a healthy breakfast.
The Promise of Sleep
Information in this section are excerpts from The Promise of Sleep by Willam C. Dement, Ph.D. This book is recommended by the MetroNaps staff. Click on the cover image to buy it from Amazon.com.
Dell Trade Paperback, 1999
