Jetlag - share your tips and tricks

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Thanks again everyone for the advice.

I spoke with my family last night about everyone's suggestions and they have agreed to try the water, of course are up for a swim (if it's not too cold), happy to do a little bit of "sleep/time" adjusting before we leave and the kids said they would consider not watching so much tv on plane .

I'd still love to hear back from AreweinDisneyyet about how she thinks we can make some adjustments before we go.

We will be arriving into Orlando fairly late so I don't think there will be any problem sleeping that night, it's more probably the 2 days afterwards that have me concerned about our body clocks.

If we catch a 3.40pm flight out of Sydney, what time is that in Orlando? It's early evening there is it? So should we be avoiding sleep on the plane or should we be trying to sleep whenever possible?

 

[zanzibar138]

I actually haven't found jetlag to be that much of a problem so far. I don't tend to sleep on planes, so I'll allow myself a nap when we arrive if I feel like I need it. 2 hours max though, just to tide me over until the local bedtime. Other than that, I don't really have a plan or anything - I just don't usually make any big plans for the first day in case I don't feel up to it.

 

[shushh]

I don't think there's a clear right or wrong as people seem to be affected very differently and at varying severity! Hubby is a light sleeper and struggles but the children fortunately are good sleepers and can sleep anywhere anytime (mostly).

I would advise you not to change your sleep habits pre travel too much. Make sure you are well rested. Change your watch to local time at your destination once you get on the plane and try to go by that if you can but if you can't don't sweat it.

With flying straight to MCO I think probably try to sleep as much as you can on the first flight to LAX but whatever you do, DO NOT sleep on the second one going to MCO. Getting to MCO in the evening after a long day of traveling helps. Like the others have said, get in the sun the next day and try to sleep no earlier than 8pm if you can.

Good luck!

 

[cola]

If we catch a 3.40pm flight out of Sydney, what time is that in Orlando? It's early evening there is it?

It's 11:40pm the day before in Orlando when it's 3:40pm in Sydney at the moment.

 

[Sugarglider]

what about people's techniques for handling puffy feet?

(or am I alone??)

 

[jacs1234]

I've never experienced jetlag. Maybe it's the times the planes leave, I don't know but this is what we do. Once we get on the plane we change to American time so we sleep when they sleep. We usually arrive early in the morning and we DO NOT nap that day. When we go to bed that night we are so tired that we usually sleep right through till a decent hour and then we're up and ready to go. I think no naps is important.

 

[Andona]

what about people's techniques for handling puffy feet?

(or am I alone??)

No, you're not alone. I had terribly puffy feet after our 2011 trip, so for our last trip I bought compression socks, this time - no puffy feet!

Andona

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[shushh]

what about people's techniques for handling puffy feet?

(or am I alone??)

No you're not alone! Unfortunately it gets worse as one gets older, skin is less elastic, valves in veins don't work as well etc. So use the muscles to get the fluids going, eg moving your ankles and legs, walking down the aisles. Also don't be afraid to use compression stockings. They do help alot.

 

[Franrose]

I get the puffy feet too - I find lots and lots and lots of water on board really does help with that. (Probably all the walks to the loo too )

 

[baf65]

Have found myself a great cure for jet lag....got it from walgreens...it's called zzzzzquil.....I've been having the best nights sleep !!!! No good for kids tho...but will def be taking a supply back with me!!!

 

[PrincessInOz]

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

I got mine at the chemist.

It's called Frequent Flyer Health Boost. Manufactured by Care Pharmaceuticals. www.frequentflyerboost.com.au.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

I got mine at the chemist.

It's called Frequent Flyer Health Boost. Manufactured by Care Pharmaceuticals. www.frequentflyerboost.com.au.

And so you start taking these before you go away? Or just while away?

Or only if you feel jetlagged once you arrive?

 

[PrincessInOz]

And so you start taking these before you go away? Or just while away?

Or only if you feel jetlagged once you arrive?

I took them about 2 - 3 days before I go. One tablet in the glass of water per day.
And then when I get there, I just continue to take it once a day. I think I stopped after about day 4. But now that I'm home again, I'm going to take it for a couple of days.

 

[Caroline NZ]

I have just googled Frequent Flyer Health Boost and it appears they are not marketed in NZ, looks like they are just an Aussie thing. Maybe I should just try normal Berocca, can't hurt anyway.

 

[alicia1506]

Re the puffy feet .. Lots of water, lots of flexing your legs and ankles and then when you get to your hotel i run cold water into the bath and soak my feet then lie on the bed with my feet propped up against the headboard. You look crazy and feel totally mortified while doing it but after approx 10 - 15 mins the puffiness goes away and then lots of walking/ staying active etc.

Re the jetlag.. We fly out at 11am and landed lax at 6am last trip. We spent the day staying active and out and about and approx 8pm local time had showers and went to bed. Then slept the sleep of the dead and woke around 9am the next morning. We tried to stay hydrated and didnt sleep on the plane, but did close our eyes periodically to rest them. For us staying hydrated and just pushing through the first day was enough to acclimate and avoid jet lag

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Again it comes back to good old H2O. I definitely think this is the key.

Thanks everyone for these amazing tips. Fingers crossed it helps.

PIO, I'm off to get some of that stuff today.

 

[PrincessInOz]

I have just googled Frequent Flyer Health Boost and it appears they are not marketed in NZ, looks like they are just an Aussie thing. Maybe I should just try normal Berocca, can't hurt anyway.

Is there a similar product in the health food section?

 

[PrincessInOz]

I'm back home again. Seem to have managed to jetlag again.


I did stay up to normal bedtime in the timezones. When I landed in LA, I made myself stay up to 8 pm. I did want to sleep around 2 pm LA time but I kept busy and pushed through it. Crashed in bed and woke up at 6.30 am the next day. Put me in the timezone for the rest of the trip.

I came home on Sunday and again made myself stay up to 9 pm last night. I was really tired around 4 pm and wanted to go to sleep but I resisted the urge. We woke up at 6.30 am this morning and I think I'm back in the zone again.

Water...and lots of it did help.


Hope everyone gets through the jetlag feeling on their next trip!

 

[ky71]

My Dh and I have just returned last week from our trip to the World Series Baseball finals.
We had a very tight 16 day schedule which involved Perth to Hong Kong (two days at DL hotel - very nice), flew to New York then back to San Francisco and back to NY again for the week (yes, during hurricane) then to get home we had to fly - NY to Dallas, Dallas to Tokyo, Tokyo to Taipai, Taipai to Hong Kong (slept one night) then flew home to WA...
No jetlag, lots of water, slept as we wanted (business and first class as it was a no kids trip) and toured as per destination time zones. No medication for DH as he usually does but I did purchase "Nu Quil" night time capsules as they work like a treat for nose stuffiness and put us to sleep quickly.
I must say there really wasn't time to think about jetlag - it was such a quick trip!

 

[patriciaofoz]

Stay hydrated and I always take sleep aids the first few nights to force myself to sleep during the normal times.

And hopefully adrenaline kicks in since you'll be at DW and that should help you push through the days/nights at DW.