From: pal@regent.e-technik.tu-muenchen.dbp.de (Peter Loibl)
Subject: Re: Overcoming jet lag
Organization: Technical University of Munich, Germany
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1992 12:51:05 GMT

saarinen@sp1.csrd.uiuc.edu (Sirpa Saarinen) writes:

>bwood@nssdca.gsfc.nasa.gov (Bill Wood) writes:

>><*>  I've found the following has helped me travel, sometimes as far 
>>     11 time zones straight through:  1).  Eat a "great meal" (not 
>>     large, just gooood!) 2).  Make sure your system is regular (if
>>     it isn't, GET IT THAT WAY!). 3).  Avoid alcohol like the plague!
>>     4).  Take several containers of bottled water WITH YOU (in your
>>     carry-on).  Drink water like you're passing a kidney stone!  It  
>>     is a fact that dehydration is the culprit to what makes you feel
>>     like sh*t while travelling! 5).  Try to get plenty of rest prior
>>     to air travel.  You'll be in better shape to handle overall air-
>>     port hassels when they occur.  6).  Don't rely on food served on 
>>     the airline to nourish you!  Their food is loaded with sodium and
>>     preservatives.  I guarentee you will become quite edgy once this
>>     gets-going in your system.

>I have tried the advise that the US military has developed: eat high
>protein and high carbohydrate meals on consequtive days and on the day
>you travel, eat a high carb meal (and light!!). This can be easily done
>by ordering a vegetarian meal on the aircraft (since those often do not
>contain sodium and preservatives, they are also good for you). 

>Also, as Bill above, I swear by the water. I am so surprised that on
>many long trips you are served/offered alcoholic drinks. One would
>think that the aircraft people would know that it is a real no-no when
>crossing timezones. I also sleep on board (between meals and during the
>film, which often surprises fellow passengers, like when they ask
>"Don't you want to watch HOME ALONE?" or "How can you sleep when we are
>howling at the film?" - I sleep through all that but I can imagine that
>someone else cannot). I am always in good condition when I arrive,
>after following this advise. 

Those advices are good and do make sense, but they don't get the real
problem: You do have to consider two cases:
1. Travelling westbound, i.e. travelling with the day
2. Travelling eastboud, i.e. travelling against the day

1. All you have to take care, that go get to bed later and get up later.
   That should not be a big deal (think about the last party you have
   been on). Rules: No alcohol, but sode (Coke) and coffee for keeping
   you awake - but in reasonable amounts!

2. Getting to bed earlier and getting up earlier is not very easy. In
   many cases you will fly through the night and arrive around moring.
   So sleeping is very essential during the flight. A good meal (good,
   not "heavy") helps a lot. Alcohol can also help - a glass of whine
   with the meal helps you getting tired. This amount of whine - and
   not more - is sometimes very helpful.
   Also: take something to cover for your eyes. This way you can sleep
   while the light is on.

In any case: do eat reasonable amounts, drink huge amounts of soda and
get lots of sleep before you travel.

Peter Loibl
pal@regent.e-technik.tu-muenchen.de