I am about to get on the plane.  My bags are packed and my passport is ready, but am I?  “Jet lag”, ladies and gentleman, is a dish served as wholly in first class as it is in coach.  However, here are a few quick tips to  beat jet lag before he/she beats you!

1. The majority of jet lag’s symptoms are a result of simple dehydration, so drink your water-bottle before passing through TSA and then fill it up before getting on the plane.

2. Avoid alcohol,  dehydration in a pressurized cabin comes quickly enough without alcohol in your bloodstream.  It may “calm nerves,” but only prolongs jet lag.

3. Then, remember to stretch while on the plane.  Take a lap of the airplane or do simple ankle twists, whatever gets the blood pumping.  A seasoned veteran will feel no shame in doing a few chair-leaners to stretch the hamstrings.  I would avoid jumping jacks though… even I wouldn’t do that.

4. And finally,  set your clock to the destinations time and don’t sleep until it is bedtime there. If you have to, take a stroll in the sunshine upon arrival as the sunlight will fool your biological clock into staying awake longer.

Until next time,

Erik