Avoiding Jet Lag

Summer is the busiest travel season for Americans heading overseas, which means now is a good time to learn how you can avoid a bad case of jet lag before you arrive at your destination. Jet lag symptoms usually include fatigue, headaches, lightheadedness, insomnia, and even digestive problems. Not exactly the way anyone wants to start their long awaited vacation in a far away land.

To help you out, sleeping expert Dr. Chris Idzikowski developed a handy calculator for British Airways to help you adjust to your new time zone and minimize jet lag. The Jet Lag Advisor offers travelers sound advice on a few things you can do before and after your flight. Just answer a set of questions regarding sleeping habits and time difference, and the advisor will tell you what to do. Recommendations revolve around three key activities: eating, exercising, and seeking or avoiding light at certain times.

You can also avoid jet lag by drinking plenty of water, avoiding caffeine and alcohol during the flight, resetting your watch, and adjusting your bedtime a few days before your trip. Does anyone have other tips they want to share?