Beating Jet-Lag

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Excerpt from LA Times article written by C. Erskine

Jet lag, as common as the common cold, abounds this time of year as travelers take long-haul summer vacations. And like a tough-to-shake cold, it often produces crankiness, insomnia and a foggy, cotton-headed funk.  Welcome to jet-lag season!

Medical professionals and avid long-distance travelers recommend heavy hydration and advocate quickly adopting the meal times and sleep patterns of your destination.

1. Stay on local time. Do not nap. It helps if you arrive in the afternoon at your destination.
2. Hydrate before, during, and after trips.
3. Keeping #2 in mind, limit alcohol intake. And avoid caffeine after midday.
4. Use a blackout mask and ear plugs to sleep during long flights.
5. Use melatonin (~3-5 milligrams) or other sleep aids to help the body wind down at night.
6. Rely on exercise and sunlight to help the body reset its rhythms.