Symptoms of jet lag can include poor concentration, hunger or lack of appetite, irritability, sleepiness during the day and insomnia at night. Sometimes it can take days for your body's inner clock to catch up.
Fly By Night Depending on the duration of the flight, you will reach your destination by morning or afternoon usually. It's the best way to keep as close to your normal schedule as possible. Also, make sure to sleep on the plane. The more rest your body gets during travel, the more prepared you will be to fight off jet lag.
Drink Heavily This is not what you think. Limit alcohol and drink more water. Cabin air can dehydrate passengers, and on top of that, altitude changes quicken the effects of your cocktail. For every hour you are in flight, drink at least 8 ounces of water.
Get Outside When you get to your destination, remain active. Going to sleep will only make the jet lag worse. Any exertion will be helpful, and doing it in the sunshine is even better. Exposure to the sunlight helps your brain adjust to the new time zone.
Don't Retire Too Soon Upon reaching your destination, don't doze off too soon. You will probably wake up in the middle of the night and not be able to drift back to sleep. Force your body's transition to the local time.
Yoga Travel Journal
Even if you've never practiced yoga, these simple poses can restore and invigorate during and after a grueling flight.
ON THE PLANE:
Simple Seated Twist – Easily done in your airplane seat, this spine-stretching exercise requires that you grab the sides of your seat and twist the torso to the right and left, holding for 10-20 seconds on each side. This will relieve lower backache and hip tightness. It helps with sluggish digestion (common after flying) and increases circulation to the internal abdominal organs.
Ankle Rolls and Neck Rolls – Every so often, roll your ankles and neck clockwise and then counterclockwise to keep from getting stiff.
AT YOUR DESTINATION:
Downward Facing Dog – Get on the floor on your hands and knees. With your knees directly below your hips and your hands slightly in front of your shoulders, exhale and lift your knees away from the floor. Push the top thighs back and stretch your heels down onto the floor. Stay in this pose from one – three minutes. This pose helps to calm the brain and stimulate the nervous system. It also helps relieve headaches and boosts circulation, which is great for swollen legs and ankles after a long flight.
Sphinx Pose – Lie on your belly with legs side by side. Set your elbows under your shoulders and your forearms on the floor parallel to each other. Inhale and lift your upper torso and head away from the floor into a slight backbend. Stay in this pose for five to 10 breaths and then lower your torso and head to the floor. The Sphinx Pose helps open the chest, lungs and lower back. It also invigorates the body, soothes the nervous system and is therapeutic for fatigue.
