JET LAG: Avoiding the LAG After She Gets off the Jet

[Michelangelo]

For you guys who have flown your brides to be or wives to the US from the FSU, and for you guys who cross the "pond" a lot, I have a question:  How did you help her overcome Jet Lag?  And how long does it last?

For me, jet lag is not a problem.  But I have over 2 million miles in the air on American Airlines alone and the airline card to prove it :-)

When I fly to Europe, I land mid-morning and just keep going, but try to take a 45 minute nap about 3:30 or so.  Then I force myself up and go hard until 22 or 23:00.  When I wake up, I am on FSU time :-)

Coming back, I usually land about 4-6 local USA time, and just keep going until 10 p.m. or so, when I crash.  When I wake up, I'm back on USA time.

I don't play mind games; the time is the time where I am and I don't think of the time zone I left.

But that's me.  Everyone is different, and I have flown and traveled a lot.

But for the girl coming to America, it is likely their first long overseas flight, and they will be operating in an environment 8-11 hours earlier than their body clocks..

What can I expect to happen to her when we fly to the US together?  Will it "wipe her out?"  If so, should she fight it, or just give in and sleep?  If so, how long before she adjusts to US time?

Your experiences with this, and recommendations, will be appreciated.

[Shadow]

Michelangelo, I use the same tactics.
Ususally landing in the US I have no problems whatsoever the following day.
It seems to be normal that east-to-west is more easy to cope with than west-to-east.

[BC]

It takes about a day the body to fully adjust for each 1 hour time difference. Going west is easier than east.

If it's a long stay it's best to try and force yourself to stay awake and active during the new daylight hours and go to sleep at the normal time.

[groovlstk]

Michel,

I think your own strategy of forcing yourself to live by the clock wherever you are is a sound plan, and hopefully you can cajole Vic into adopting it.

I met a girl from Vladivostok last February in St. Petersburg, and the 8-hour flight and time zone change completely wiped her out. We were in bed the first night at 6 PM. The second day we made it to 7PM. The third day at 7PM I begged her to stay awake for a few more hours as it was the only way she'd break free of her jetlag, but she was not up to it. She had no problem sleeping for 12-14 hours each day, while I stared at the ceiling from 3AM until 10AM, when dawn arrived. It was a complete bust and I ended up going out walking and having dinner alone each evening for the rest of our time together.

[Jet]

Lil and I always had an easier time going the other direction, but I think that's largely due to the flight times. We always leave Miami around 5pm sleep on the way to Europe and usually arrive in NN around 6pm the following night (just in time to sleep some more). Get up the following morning without any jet-lag at all. On the way back the entire trip falls on one calender day so it usually takes 2 or 3 days to fully readjust. When she first arrived, I let her "sleep in" but not past 9:30 or so, and then kept her day busy enough that she went to bed close to regular time in the evening; it *seemed* to speed up the assimilation to the new time zone

[Bruce]

West coast teams always have an advantage. 

As far as I am concerned its always easier to fly east then west.  Michaelangelo - I try to do exactly what you do.  Its all a battle of the mind.  I tell myself that this is the time now, get used to it.  Of course, the body has a little lag, but if you mentally are tough on yourself you'll come off the lag quickly.  Forget about melatonin.  Remember, its a mind game.

Young people handle jet lag easier / better so I do not believe she'll have much lag.  Warn her about it and prepare a bed.  Expect her to not do much for the first week.  After a week she'll be fine for sure.  Keeping her excited and busy ie. suprises etc. / places to go help keep her excited and positive which will aid adjustment.

[Son of Clyde]

I'm an insomniac and I rarely get jet lag.
I do sometimes get an upset stomach for a day or two and it could be the airline food or the first food I have eaten in the new country. MacDonald's is a poor choice for a first meal in FSU as you may find yourself doing the porcelain hug all night.