Jetlag - share your tips and tricks

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Jetlag sucks. We all know it. I would love to hear what some of you do to combat jetlag. I'm sure some of you experienced travellers have some great tips and tricks to share.


As for me, I've heard that a swim on your first day helps and the newest tip I've come across is that it's all about hydration. Very important to drink lots on the flight over. I don't tend to drink much at all because I don't want to be running to the toilet all the time (I run to the toilet alot anyway without lots of water). But the suggestion is at least 1 glass of water per hour minimum to help with jetlag. Apparently dehydration is the issue.

Okay, would love to hear others ideas.

 

[battymum]

When we went we took "no jet lag" tablets, you buy them at Kathmandu, people swear by them - but not us, I think it had the opposite effect. Most people on here say they are up early due to jetlag, for us it was like waking from a coma for the first five days,

What do you have planned for your first day, I wish we had left that day free to catch up naturally.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Oh no , I'm sorry to hear that. Jetlag sucks.

I found last time that I was waking up in the middle of the night for hours at a time and then feeling like a truck had hit me in the afternoons.

Our first day is fairly relaxed. It's an Animal Kingdom day but we have another full day there so I'm not in a rush to get there that morning. With that said, it's EMH there so if we do find ourselves up nice and early we can head there for rope drop. We will essentially just have a leisurely wander around, perhaps take in Lion King or Nemo (love that show), meet some characters in Camp Minnie Mickey and check out the individual Christmas trees there.

Probably a late morning lunch at Flame Tree if we are hungry.

Go back to the room perhaps for a nap or at the very least a swim then head to Hollywood Studios. We have a 4.30pm booking for a very very early dinner at Sci Fi Diner as I have the greatest fingers crossed hopes of seeing the 6.30pm Fantasmic. We have never managed to see it so I was thinking we could have an early dinner and then head over there by 5.45 to have a little "cupcake" snack and a wait to see the show. If DH and DS are too tired they can go back to our room and skip it. DD and I are determined and this should help to keep us up to at least a reasonable hour to try and get our body clocks on track.

 

[baf65]

Ihave no tips....just when I thought I'd cracked it and managed to sleep till 6am, I realized the clock had gone back so it was 5am...ever morning since we have arrived I have woken anytime between 4 and 5am....I think I'm running on adrenalin and the copious amounts of coffee!!!

 

[areweindisneyyet]

I am pretty good with jetlag. I start thinking in local time of my destination as early as I can. (I am typing this at 3am) Like this week I am trying to stay up later and sleep longer.

Friday night I will stay up as late as I can, we fly out at 2am Italy time so will try to have a little nap for the first few hours of the flight then stay awake until after the meal once we leave Hong Kong aiming for a normal Italy bedtime. Sleep for as much of the flight as we can. We get to London at 5am before heading on to Italy. If I have another little nap here it is OK and then just try to keep going as long as I can on the first day.

Keep moving. DH just sleeps when he can but I really try to spend the plane trip adjusting my sleeping, even if its not great I turn off movies and no reading. Works for me.

With the kids when they should sleep, when they were really little I would change them into PJ's to signify bedtime. The flights via NZ are really good for this. Jumpy and excited to NZ, dinner in Auckland then it is bedtime to get ready for Disney. The stopover is really worth it and if stopping in LA getting in a little later is also a good thing.

 

[davedmaine]

While I was in the military and doing a lot of traveling, I often found that getting myself out into the sunlight for about an hour or so, would help..

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Ihave no tips....just when I thought I'd cracked it and managed to sleep till 6am, I realized the clock had gone back so it was 5am...ever morning since we have arrived I have woken anytime between 4 and 5am....I think I'm running on adrenalin and the copious amounts of coffee!!!

Lay off the coffee then Baf . It sucks waking up so early. I hope it settles for you soon.

I am pretty good with jetlag. I start thinking in local time of my destination as early as I can. (I am typing this at 3am) Like this week I am trying to stay up later and sleep longer.

Friday night I will stay up as late as I can, we fly out at 2am Italy time so will try to have a little nap for the first few hours of the flight then stay awake until after the meal once we leave Hong Kong aiming for a normal Italy bedtime. Sleep for as much of the flight as we can. We get to London at 5am before heading on to Italy. If I have another little nap here it is OK and then just try to keep going as long as I can on the first day.

Keep moving. DH just sleeps when he can but I really try to spend the plane trip adjusting my sleeping, even if its not great I turn off movies and no reading. Works for me.

With the kids when they should sleep, when they were really little I would change them into PJ's to signify bedtime. The flights via NZ are really good for this. Jumpy and excited to NZ, dinner in Auckland then it is bedtime to get ready for Disney. The stopover is really worth it and if stopping in LA getting in a little later is also a good thing.

Wow, you certainly put alot of thought into it. Since you seem to be the expert, can I give you our flight information and details to get your thoughts:-

Flying out of Canberra at 11.55am, flying out of Sydney at 12.45pm
Arrive Dallas 13.50pm, flying out to Orlando 18.20pm
Arrive Orlando 21.35pm

Any suggestions on what we should do in the days prior to going away in terms of making slight sleep adjustments. My kids are 14 and 10. And then suggestions for sleep time during flights and once we arrive?

I'd be super grateful.

While I was in the military and doing a lot of traveling, I often found that getting myself out into the sunlight for about an hour or so, would help..

Great tip, thanks!

 

[hjd0411]

I do try and keep up the water - not always successfully, I must admit! But when I get to wherever I'm going, I try to stay up as long as possible and go to bed at regular bed time (and the first night that can be as early as 6pm!)
But it usually means I can wake up at a normal time and get going on my first holiday day!
That said, this time coming home has been the hardest! I've been waking up at 3-330am every morning and not enjoying that at all!!
But then, I'm a shift worker and I am in a permanent state of jet lag..!!!

 

[5ofus]

Being outside and active definitely helps. I also love JetEase, but haven't been able to find them lately.

 

[australiankaren]

try to sleep on the plane..dont be tempted to sit and watch 14 hrs of TV, even though it sounds good at the time....the more you watch, the more salty snacks and fizzy drinks you eat/drink, the more bloating and tired you get..so once you hit customs in LAX you feel dehydrated, annoyed and slightly twitchy (not good when dealing with TSA)...

if you need to sleep as soon as you get to your hotel, then do it...the body is telling you what it needs, dont ignore it.

MY Dh has a shower and straight to bed when we get to lax hotel....I go to the gym....then internet for a bit...then bed....

we always right off the first day when we eventually get to WDW...just dont plan anything....hang by the pool and eat when you want.....spend time getting to know your resort & the food court

 

[Melbourne5]

On the plane, change your watch straight away and try , try,try to get some sleep Based on us time. once there Swimming is a winner for us !!

 

[cola]

Getting out in the sunshine is the important thing, it resets your clock, and get barefeet on the ground (which is why swimming can be so good). Once you want to go to sleep, no overhead lights, only table lamps, it tricks the mind that it's sun down, time to go to bed. I'm not sure how much of it is jet lag as in time zone changes vs dehydration/lack of sleep. A US friend swore jetlag had no affect on her, she'd zip back and forth US-Japan all the time and no issues, just take the first day easy, said coming to Sydney would not be a problem, (less of a time difference), got here and was a zombie for a few days.

I usually find day 3 is a wash out, I can push through the first day or so (though I don't like to have a set plan the first day, just in case), but day 3 the lack of sleep really hits.

 

[PrincessInOz]

I drink lots of water on the plane. I also cut out caffeine at least 4 days before flying. I don't drink coffee on the plane; only green tea.

I also use the Frequent Flyer borocca. Instructions tell you to start taking it 2 days before you travel.

I don't sleep on the plane and when I get off at the other end, I stay up until it is normal bedtime. That means that I'm up for about 30 hours or so.

For me, the above works. I've not had jetlag in a long time.

 

[Sugarglider]

Flying out of Canberra at 11.55am, flying out of Sydney at 12.45pm
Arrive Dallas 13.50pm, flying out to Orlando 18.20pm
Arrive Orlando 21.35pm

Ms Shuttergirl - I am COMPLETELY changing the topic here BUT I am way way curious.

You can't actually do CBR to SYD at 5 mins to noon and then SYD-DFW at 12:45pm - 50 mins later - yes?? Have I missed something?

and yes - jet lag - what a drag. I just try to get into the time at WDW and stay up until bed time

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

I do try and keep up the water - not always successfully, I must admit! But when I get to wherever I'm going, I try to stay up as long as possible and go to bed at regular bed time (and the first night that can be as early as 6pm!)
But it usually means I can wake up at a normal time and get going on my first holiday day!
That said, this time coming home has been the hardest! I've been waking up at 3-330am every morning and not enjoying that at all!!
But then, I'm a shift worker and I am in a permanent state of jet lag..!!!

Sounds like water is a good idea. I agree that staying up sounds like a good idea.

Being outside and active definitely helps. I also love JetEase, but haven't been able to find them lately.

Well at WDW there will be no trouble with being outside and staying active

try to sleep on the plane..dont be tempted to sit and watch 14 hrs of TV, even though it sounds good at the time....the more you watch, the more salty snacks and fizzy drinks you eat/drink, the more bloating and tired you get..so once you hit customs in LAX you feel dehydrated, annoyed and slightly twitchy (not good when dealing with TSA)...

if you need to sleep as soon as you get to your hotel, then do it...the body is telling you what it needs, dont ignore it.

MY Dh has a shower and straight to bed when we get to lax hotel....I go to the gym....then internet for a bit...then bed....

we always right off the first day when we eventually get to WDW...just dont plan anything....hang by the pool and eat when you want.....spend time getting to know your resort & the food court

I am a bit guilty about watching too much tv, I kind of like having all of that new stuff to see. You make a very good point and I'm going to discuss this with my family also.

Good advice re the first day. If we get up and are tired we may skip AK and just explore the resort and swim. I dare say either option will be wonderful.

On the plane, change your watch straight away and try , try,try to get some sleep Based on us time. once there Swimming is a winner for us !!

Yes we do this with our watches, I think it's a great head start. Okay, we are definitely swimming.

Getting out in the sunshine is the important thing, it resets your clock, and get barefeet on the ground (which is why swimming can be so good). Once you want to go to sleep, no overhead lights, only table lamps, it tricks the mind that it's sun down, time to go to bed. I'm not sure how much of it is jet lag as in time zone changes vs dehydration/lack of sleep. A US friend swore jetlag had no affect on her, she'd zip back and forth US-Japan all the time and no issues, just take the first day easy, said coming to Sydney would not be a problem, (less of a time difference), got here and was a zombie for a few days.

I usually find day 3 is a wash out, I can push through the first day or so (though I don't like to have a set plan the first day, just in case), but day 3 the lack of sleep really hits.

Okay, swimming and bare feet and sun, I can do that. Is a cocktail allowed as well because I have a vision and it involves a cocktail .

Funny story about your friend. I bet you laughed .

I would agree about day 3, I have had trouble with that one too.

I drink lots of water on the plane. I also cut out caffeine at least 4 days before flying. I don't drink coffee on the plane; only green tea.

I also use the Frequent Flyer borocca. Instructions tell you to start taking it 2 days before you travel.

I don't sleep on the plane and when I get off at the other end, I stay up until it is normal bedtime. That means that I'm up for about 30 hours or so.

For me, the above works. I've not had jetlag in a long time.

The water thing is a recurring theme so I am determined to get myself and the family to do this.

I haven't heard for Frequent Flyer Berocca. Can you just get that at the chemist?

Well we almost don't sleep on the plane , not for lack of trying.

You are very fortunate not to have jetlag weigh you down PIO.

Ms Shuttergirl - I am COMPLETELY changing the topic here BUT I am way way curious.

You can't actually do CBR to SYD at 5 mins to noon and then SYD-DFW at 12:45pm - 50 mins later - yes?? Have I missed something?

and yes - jet lag - what a drag. I just try to get into the time at WDW and stay up until bed time

Sorry, that's supposed to be arrive into Sydney at 12.45pm, fly out of Sydney to Dallas at 15.40pm.

DH is very excited to check out the International Qantas Club lounge as we haven't been in there before.

 

[Beee]

these are great tips, thanks everyone

Jet lag on this trip is something I am really worried about - just daylight savings or flying from Aus-NZ knocks me for days so I have no idea what a 14hr flight is going to do to me

I had planned a relaxed day for arrival but as that is the only day that fantasmic is on for our stay we are planning to do that, which is at 9pm - immediately after that I plan to head back to the hotel and straight to bed I think if I can sleep on the plane I will be fine, but if not then I feel sorry for my family, I am such a grumpy, impatient b**** when I'm tired

Does anyone have any specific tips for us? We fly out at 7.15pm and arrive at LAX at 10.30am and head straight to Disneyland Hotel - I thought that an early afternoon nap would be a bad idea but its an option if our room is ready when we arrive (which I'm guessing would be about 12.30-1).

 

[coco392]

flight usually leaves Sydney around1pm- stay awake 7 hours. go to sleep (8pm our time 11pm la time) sleep 7 hours and wake as we get to la. stay awake all day in la.
on way home much harder but sleep first four hours and try to sleep last 4 hours into Sydney morning

have managed to avoid it by doing this

 

[WanderlustNZ]

if you need to sleep as soon as you get to your hotel, then do it...the body is telling you what it needs, dont ignore it.
:

I agree with this completely, on the provision that if it's not nighttime, just make it a powernap.

I think if a 30min nap is what is needed to make you feel sane enough to get through to an acceptable bedtime, then that is what you should do. Particularly if you're like me and can't sleep on planes.
Just don't do what I did once where I got off a plane about midday and was so tired I fell into bed and slept till tea time. I then couldn't sleep that night and I couldn't function properly at work for about a week. Worst jetlag ever.

 

[Minniemum]

Ms Shuttergirl my advice is similar to many posters before. Lots of water on the plane and try to last until 10pm on the first night. This won't be a problem as you are flying straight to MCO from Oz so it's always going to be a late arrival. It's more of a challenge with the early arrivals to LAX.

We also like to hit a water park the next day. We find the water relaxing. Not sure it will be hot enough for you in Nov/Dec. Water park pools are heated though.

Jet lag is the great unknown. You just never know if and when it's going to hit you. At the very least, everyone's given you a few strategies.

 

[Franrose]

I am going to try melatonin next trip. Other than that, for me just driving (metaphore sort of driving, not real sort of driving ) through the first super long day usually gets me tired enough to have a really good sleep that first night, which somehow resets the clock.