How to prevent or avoid jet lag?
Maintain a sensible bedtime schedule prior to your trip. Don’t avoid sleeping in order to make yourself tired. Consider going to bed earlier for a couple of nights before leaving if you are traveling east. Go to bed later for a couple of nights if you are traveling west. For short trips, maintain a schedule of eating and sleeping at your usual time, if possible, while at your destination. Drink plenty of liquids, but avoid alcohol and caffeine. If you exercise regularly, continue to do so at your destination. Avoid exercising late in the evening because it can keep you awake. For important events or meetings at your destination, try to arrive in advance to have time to adjust to the time difference. Melatonin, a hormone sold in supplement form at health food stores, may help decrease jet lag. Try taking 1-3 milligrams of melatonin at bedtime for several days once you arrive at your destination.
