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Jet lag prevention
Jet lag prevention

Jet lag prevention
Alternative Names:
Prevention of jet lag

Information:

Question:
Is there any way to prevent jet lag?

Answer:

  • Maintain a sensible bedtime schedule.
  • Don't avoid sleeping prior to a trip in order to make yourself tired.
  • Consider going to bed earlier for a couple of days, prior to your trip, if you are traveling east. Go to bed later for a couple of days, if you are traveling west.
  • For short trips, maintain a schedule of eating and sleeping at your usual time, if possible.
  • 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 early enough to have time to adjust to the time difference.
  • Melatonin, an herbal medication that can be bought at health food stores, can be used to induce sleep when you get to your destination. Some studies have shown that taking 1-3 milligrams of melatonin at bedtime for several days after arrival at your destination may decrease jet lag.
  • Transient insomnia associated with jet lag is sometimes treated with hypnotics (sleeping pills).
Review Date: 1/28/2002
Reviewed By: Victoria Kennedy, RN, A.D.A.M. editorial. (1/28/2002). Previous review: J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director; RxRemedy. (2/9/2000).
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