considered safe, adverse effects such as sedation or a disorienting rocking feeling have been reported. The safe use of melatonin in persons with epilepsy, who take warfarin or other oral anticoagulants and in children has been questioned (6). These travelers should discuss the potential for adverse effects with their physicians prior to its use.

-Avoid Alcohol

You want to steer clear from alcohol the night prior to travel and during the flight. Alcohol will dehydrate you

-Avoid Caffeine

Caffeine may as well create disturbances in the sleep/wake cycle. Try drinking lots of fluids on your flight instead.

-Avoid Sleeping Pills

Sleeping pills are a big no for long haul flights because they induce you stay immobile for many hours of heavy sleep. This put people more at risk for deep vein thrombosis, a potentially fatal disorder due to a blood clot that forms in the legs an then travels to the lungs.

-Adjust right away

It is important to respect the new times of the new destination. Eat for lunch and dinner and sleep when it gets dark. Sleeping when you are tired or eating when you are hungry will only prolong your difficulties in adjusting to the new time zone. This is the most important tip of all, an often the one most challenging to follow.

Typically, it takes the body an average of 1-12 days to adjust to the new time zone. This range varies, depending on the number of timezones that have been crossed. For instance, passing only one time zone should only produce one day of jet lag and so forth. However, everybody is different and make not abide to this general rule.

Following the above tips may significantly reduce the time-lines above by better preparing you for your business or leisure trip. Nothing is more frustrating than attending an important conference with your eyes shutting from being tired or missing that so anticipated tour because of feeling too awkward.

*if you are considering taking Melatonin always consult with your physician first. Medications may interact with Melatonin and Melatonin may cause allergic reactions as any other nutritional supplements.

References

Reid KJ, Chang AM, Zee PC. Circadian rhythm sleep disorders. Med Clin North Am. 2004;88:631-51.

CDC Chapter 6 Non-infectious risks during travel Retrieved from:http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/yel lowbook/ch6/jet-lag.aspx

Learn more about this author, Janet Farricelli.
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