Too Tired To Enjoy Your Vacation Don t Suffer

P erhaps jet lag is the            rhythm).                           culprit. Crossing time                                             zones while you travel is       * Alcohol consumption: Alcohol     just one of the causes. Some          contributes to dehydration. At     advance knowledge and preparation     altitude, affects of alcohol are   can result in a more enjoyable        magnified several times.           trip.                                                                                                          * Stale air: Aircraft air is not   PRIMARY CAUSES OF JET LAG             as oxygenated as outside air. It                                         also contains odors and minute     * Crossing two or more time           particles emanating from           zones: This is worse on eastbound     passengers, crew, luggage and the  flights because you have to           aircraft.                          adjust to an earlier schedule.                                                                                 * Inactivity and lack of           * Lack of sleep before you            exercise.                          travel.                                                                                                        * Climate change.                  * Physical exhaustion from doing                                         too much too quickly just before      POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS OF JET LAG       you leave.                                                                                                     * Slow reflexes - especially       * Dehydration: Aircraft air is        dangerous while driving            very dry. Drink plenty of water                                          (not soda, coffee or tea). Some       * Sluggish thought processes -     people take their own bottled         resulting in poor decisions        water with them.                                                                                               * Sleep disturbances               * Disruption of the body's normal                                        wake/sleep schedule (circadian        * Poor appetite                                                          until the last minute.             * Headaches                                                                                                    * Make sure you get a good         * Sinus irritation                    night's sleep before your                                                departure.                         * Gastrointestinal upset caused                                          by unfamiliar food and water          * Choose appropriate flights so                                          that you can arrive well in        * Fatigue                             advance for activities like                                              business meetings. Aim for         * Anxiety                             daytime flying (in both                                                  directions).                       * Disorientation                                                                                               * Set your watch to the new time   * Irritability                        zone as soon as you board the                                            plane.                             * Swollen extremities (especially                                        feet and lower legs)                  * Stay on schedule with                                                  medications.                       * Sweating                                                                                                     * Drink plenty of bottled (not     COPING WITH JET LAG                   local) water.                                                                                               * Acclimate yourself before you       * Avoid salad or foods that may    leave. If practical and possible,     have been rinsed in local water.   schedule your alarm clock and         This will help to prevent          meals for the new time zone a day     diarrhea - which can contribute    or two ahead of time.                 to dehydration.                                                                                             * Don't leave all your packing        * Get up and move around instead   of sitting in your seat for long                                         periods of time.                      EVERYBODY IS DIFFERENT                                                                                      * Wear shoes a half size larger       * Recovery time, as a rule of      to accommodate swelling feet.         thumb, takes about one day per                                           time zone crossed.                 * Once you arrive, don't spend                                           all day cooped up indoors. Get        * Some people are more adaptable   out in the sun and fresh air.         than others and exhibit very few                                         jet lag symptoms. Children almost  * Take a hot shower before going      always fare better than adults.    to bed. This helps to retune your                                        body's circadian temperature          * The more 'laid back' you are     rhythm. The drop in temperature       about schedules and daily          after you get out of the shower       routines, the more likely you are  will make you start to feel           to cope well with jet lag.         drowsy.                                                                                                        With a little advance planning,    * Schedule appointments when you      your next plane trip could be the  are most likely to be rested.         best ever!                         About the Author: Over 1000 travel tips are posted at http://1000tips4trips.com/ - including many relating to air travel. 111 Travel Directory: http://www.triple1.com/ also has travel resources and articles available. Adult Escapes: http://www.adultescapes.com/ is the site to visit if you need to get away without the kids. Read more articles by: Kathy Steinemann Article Source: www.iSnare.com