Blogs October 15, 2012 3 min read

Jet Lag

A 12-hour time difference (after 16 hours on a plane) really does wreak havoc on a sleep schedule. “Jet Lag” most often results from a high-speed trip through multiple time zones. Duh! The symptoms include fatigue, inability to concentrate, feeling disoriented or out-of-sync and headaches — none of which you want to have to deal with when trying to conduct BUSINESS after that “high speed trip through multiple time zones.”

Is it avoidable? Not really, but it can be partially managed (at least I’ve TRIED to manage). I haven’t been one to go the prescription drug route when travelling, but I find a glass of wine and two Advil PM help me fall asleep on long plane flights — and discovered they are only somewhat useful when trying to get back on “sleep schedule” either during or after a long “high speed trip through multiple time zones.” What do others recommend?

Prepare for the time change: I remember my father trying to do this as he prepared for a business trip from Southern California to Boston — each night trying to go to sleep one hour earlier and wake up one hour earlier until he was on Boston time for a few days before the trip. Might work for a 3-hour time difference, but a 12-hour time difference?
Anticipate the time change: I always set my watch to the new time zone the moment I step on the plane (going half way around the world, I didn’t have to touch my watch!). Then, on the plane, “act” like you’re in the new time zone. The experts also say to avoid caffeine and alcohol on the flight, but I stick to my red wine and Advil concoction for falling asleep.
When you arrive, stay awake if it’s daytime there, and get into the sunshine. Exercise, but don’t overdo it. Take only a short nap (before 2 pm local time and sleep no more than one hour). Go to sleep and wake up on time, local time — and if you can’t manage sleep, still get out bed on time!

How did I do with the 12-hour time change twice in two weeks? I adjusted right away. . . the first night. Then I was wide awake for the next two nights while in China, before I resorted to the Advil PM. Arriving home, I was smarter (or more experienced). Advil PM for the first two nights and I was right back on local time without too much fatigue. The headaches I’m chalking up to something besides jet lag — a huge tax filing deadline on September 17th.