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I have searched previous posts to find cures for jet lag but wondered if there were any new ones. I'm ok going out but coming back last time it seemed to take forever getting over it. I didn't sleep once we woke up on the plane and went to bed normal time. Please help!
Melatonin is the answer. You can buy it in Walmart, Publix ect. Take one tablet every night for 5 nights (one night for each hour of the time difference). It works a treat and I swear by it.[msnsmile2]
You can buy Melatonin tablets, they sell them in Walmart and they help with the jetlag.
Opps............we must have been typing at the same time Kazzie!!
stay up drinking the first few nights for as long as you can, you'll never know what hit you by the 3rd
back to normal on the 4th day ;)
Yes Melatonin works a treat.
We always suffered with jetlag when we got back, usually a week to get back to normal but last time we got Melatonin in Walgreens and was back to normal in 2 days[clap]
You will find them in the vitamin section.
Thanks guys. Will try melatonin and hopefully won't feel like death warmed up for a couple of weeks.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by sammibabe
I have searched previous posts to find cures for jet lag but wondered if there were any new ones. I'm ok going out but coming back last time it seemed to take forever getting over it. I didn't sleep once we woke up on the plane and went to bed normal time. Please help!
[/quote]
Apparently it's to do with the time differential when you are travelling east to west you don't get jet lag but when you are travelling west to east you can/do.
Hi
Take a transatlantic cruise back to the UK....................
you have no jet lag, but you weigh about 10lbs extra ! [msnembarrased]
We have done this twice and its great, especially Bermuda [8D]
Ellie
Unfortunately, Trish and Marcus I cannot try your cure as I am teetotal (seriously bad, bad hangover about 6 years ago that I can remember like yesterday) but it pleases DH as I drive when we go out so he may well try this approach[msnwink]
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by steph_goodrum
Apparently it's to do with the time differential when you are travelling east to west you don't get jet lag but when you are travelling west to east you can/do.[/quote]
I think you are right Steph. I read somewhere that our bodies work on a 25 hour clock, rather than 24 hours as one might expect. This tends to make it feel easier to stay up an hour later but also makes it harder to wake up an hour earlier. It also makes it nigh on impossible to go to sleep an hour earlier (unless extremely tired). This is why most people tend not to get jet lag as bad when flying west as it's akin to staying up for an extra few hours. Our bodies get back into kilter much quicker if it involves staying up. Flying east is just the opposite, which is why we tend to suffer more in this direction.
That's the science, but sadly I don't know of a cure. Melatonin is supposed to work by tricking your brain to reset the time it thinks it should be doing to sleep; so you can sleep on the plane on the way back to England and when you wake up your body thinks everything is normal. It would also help to be really tired at the point the flight leaves so having some really early morning wakeups for three or four days prior to the flight would help. (Personally I think I'd sooner lie in and suffer the jetlag [msnwink]) Another suggestion I've heard is to grab a shower as soon as possible after you land, again to try to fool your body into believing that it is your normal routine.
I know this is going to sound really daft but the times I've had the least jetlag are when we've flown back from Florida and I've gone straight into an office the following morning. I'm knackered the following evening but it all seems to work out after a day or two.
I guess the perfect way to avoid jetlag on the way back from Florida would be to fly via LA or San Fran, and then have a week in Hawaii, and then a few nights in Hong Kong, or Singapore, and then Dubai, with maybe a short stopover in Spain for a bit of paella. That should do it! [msnwink]
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Snapper
[quote
I know this is going to sound really daft but the times I've had the least jetlag are when we've flown back from Florida and I've gone straight into an office the following morning. I'm knackered the following evening but it all seems to work out after a day or two.
[/quote]
I do know what you mean - it's hard to do but does seem to get you back into routine quicker.
The other thing that works for me is taking a day flight back from the US. You're still tired when you land but it's actually bedtime!
I did not think there were any day flights to the UK. None that arrive at night time UK. I always try staying up all day when I get back to UK. It is hard work, but your body will be so tired come the night it sleeps straight through. That should kick your body back into the right time.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by domster
I did not think there were any day flights to the UK. None that arrive at night time UK. [/quote]
Not from Orlando perhaps but there are several from Chicago, New York, Washington & Boston (and maybe others I'm unaware of).
When my daughters boyfriend visits from Boston or she is flying home from there they have found that catching an early flight stops them getting jet lag as badly. Even last year when she flew back New Years day she stayed out till around 2am got the flight at 8.50am and arrived home around 8.30 pm she felt better than she has when getting an overnight flight.
From Orlando I dont think there are any daytime options though. I find I dont suffer as badly as the other 2 but when we are in the US I have always put down to the fact that I dont really get fully into US time. I am always up at around 4.30-5 no matter what time I have gone to bed after the parks etc. Sitting round the pool with a cup of tea its always so peaceful then it doesnt worry me so Ive made no attempt to try and change it.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Kazzie
Melatonin is the answer. You can buy it in Walmart, Publix ect. Take one tablet every night for 5 nights (one night for each hour of the time difference). It works a treat and I swear by it.[msnsmile2]
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Sorry to be a bit thick, but when do you start taking the melatonin then - 5 days before you fly home or 5 days after and including the day you get home?
I think that jet lag is caused just as much by missing a nights sleep, I cannot sleep on the plane no matter how hard I try! The only other time I have felt jet lagged, other than after flying, is after the birth of my two children who were both born in the middle of the night. If I miss a nights sleep it takes me ages to get back to normal, although taking Melatonin has helped in the past.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by solanasunshine
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Kazzie
Melatonin is the answer. You can buy it in Walmart, Publix ect. Take one tablet every night for 5 nights (one night for each hour of the time difference). It works a treat and I swear by it.[msnsmile2]
[/quote]
Sorry to be a bit thick, but when do you start taking the melatonin then - 5 days before you fly home or 5 days after and including the day you get home?
[/quote]
5 days after and including the day you get home. Try to stay up until your normal bedtime on the first night home and take a tablet even if you think you will have no problem sleeping. You should then be able to sleep round to your normal waking time.
They come in two strengths - we find the lower dosage works for us - and are non-habit forming.
Maureen
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Snapper
I read somewhere that our bodies work on a 25 hour clock, rather than 24 hours as one might expect. [/quote]There was a study a while ago; http://www.rps.psu.edu/time/unwinding.html
Thanks Maureen [msnsmile]
I take my first one on the plane home and it always makes me sleep...could never sleep on return journey before.
I take them for a few days after too[zzz].
Julie
My friends are off on a daytime flight from Orlando shortly. I will check out who they are flying with.
I have not used Melatonin, but just sent hubby to get some, although I am a great believe of mind over matter[msnwink]There is usually so much to do when we arrive home that I do not have tie to think about being tired. I always stay up until normal bedtime which usually works.
Sandra
If you take an early morning flight from Orlando or Tampa to, say Washington, you can catch a flight at around 9.30/10 am that lands in London at 10 pm. We have done this with United a couple of times and it is perfect for driving home and going straight to bed. These are the only times I have had no jet lag!
I would love to try Melatonin but I don't think you can give it to children (I am not sure what age it is safe from). I can't see the point of me being in normal time and them being jet lagged, my idea of a nightmare[msneek][msnoo] Does anyone know what age it is recommended from?
For everyone's information I have just found an information website on Melatonin and it states only over 18s should take it[msneek]
Your natural Melatonin (a hormone)levels deplete on long hall flights. Taking the tablets keeps the levels topped up and I find it works extremely well. I have always suffered from very severe jetlag and get after effects up to a month later. The first week is a nightmare. The last fligt we had was coming back to the UK after a long absence, i took Melatonin before and after the flight and I could not beleive how well it worked. Not one second of jetlag:)
I had bought a great big tub of the stuff and have given it out to quite a few folks traveling long hall. They have all been impressed. Trouble is I have non left for myself[msnsad]
I've tried Melatonin but unfortunately it doesn't work for me. I get terrible jet lag and nothing seems to help [msnsad]
The best way is not to give in when you get home and go to sleep. If you can manage a couple of hours on the plane then just keep yourself awake as long as you can. Even if you last until 8pm and then go to bed you should be fine in the morning, its important to try to get back to your home sleep pattern as soon as you can.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Peppermint
If you take an early morning flight from Orlando or Tampa to, say Washington, you can catch a flight at around 9.30/10 am that lands in London at 10 pm. We have done this with United a couple of times and it is perfect for driving home and going straight to bed. These are the only times I have had no jet lag!
[/quote]
Very handy if you live near enough to Heathrow but you won't feel much like a long motorway drive and almost all the day flights land too late catch an air or rail connection to other parts of the UK.
You can stay overnight at Heathrow and travel the next day but that makes it expensive and to some extent defeats the whole object of doing it. That said, I found it much better for me than an overnight flight.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by andy_d
The best way is not to give in when you get home and go to sleep. If you can manage a couple of hours on the plane then just keep yourself awake as long as you can. Even if you last until 8pm and then go to bed you should be fine in the morning, its important to try to get back to your home sleep pattern as soon as you can.[/quote]I have tried that, stayed awake as long as possible say 9pm and have no trouble going to sleep but the problem is I am wide awake again at about 2am, we all bump into each other on the landing saying 'can't sleep'.
We always try to travel on a Thursday so on the return trip we land Friday am so have the weekend to try and get back into the swing of things.
[website link edited]
Don't personally agree with this - I think eating helps?? Although not necessarily plane food [sick]
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by canarypam
I've tried Melatonin but unfortunately it doesn't work for me. I get terrible jet lag and nothing seems to help [msnsad]
[/quote]
What strength did you use? 3mg works fine for us but a friend said it did not work for her so I bought the 5mg for her and that worked.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by florida4sun
Your natural Melatonin (a hormone)levels deplete on long hall flights. Taking the tablets keeps the levels topped up and I find it works extremely well. I have always suffered from very severe jetlag and get after effects up to a month later. The first week is a nightmare. The last fligt we had was coming back to the UK after a long absence, i took Melatonin before and after the flight and I could not beleive how well it worked. Not one second of jetlag:)
I had bought a great big tub of the stuff and have given it out to quite a few folks traveling long hall. They have all been impressed. Trouble is I have non left for myself[msnsad]
[/quote]
I can cure that Martin, if you give me all your airlines tickets then you wont suffer from jetlag ever again:)
Jet lag is caused by disruption of sleep patterns -so Seratonin [that is produced by the Brain in darkness]is not produced. By taking 1 melatonin tablet on the first night, and second night if need be, you are righting the levels of Seratonin-this helps get rid of the lag which usually lasts for 1 day per hour difference East to West direction.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Peppermint
If you take an early morning flight from Orlando or Tampa to, say Washington, you can catch a flight at around 9.30/10 am that lands in London at 10 pm. We have done this with United a couple of times and it is perfect for driving home and going straight to bed. These are the only times I have had no jet lag!
[/quote]
Carla posted about this route a few days ago, it sounds absolutely perfect!![msnsmile]
We have our flights booked direct for Nov and Feb, but I am going to look out for this one when booking again[msnsmile2]
The last couple of times that I went to our villa I have flown back during the day with United. You have to be prepared to get up early as we have caught the 6.00am flight from Orlando to Washington and then the 9.20am flight from Washington to Heathrow. We landed and 9.30pm both times and we were in the car park picking up the car by 10.00 pm. A drive back to Bristol and we are home by midnight. Absolutely shattered go straight to bed and wake up around normal time the next morning. It has worked very well for us and I will definately keep using this schedule. Also the good thing is that the flights work out alot cheaper as they are indirect.