When you travel more than 4 time zones, how do you deal with jet lag?

SPC Randy Torgerson — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 12:13:19 -0400

Traveling More than 4 time zones starts to effect me, how do you deal with it?

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2014 12:14 PM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 12:14:23 -0400

Sleep:) It will take a few weeks to even a couple months for some folks to acclimate to time zone change. Unfortunately that is hard if you have to do a return trip before you can acclimate.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2014 12:19 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 12:19:42 -0400

I'm not from New York, neither do I care how much Jets are lagging, regardless of what time zone they're playing at ;-) Seahawks all the way!

Response by SGT Richard H. made Sep 9 at 2014 2:52 PM

SGT Richard H. — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 14:52:20 -0400

Take 2 Motrin PM before the flight and sleep through most of it.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 9 at 2014 3:10 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 15:10:21 -0400

John McClaine (Die Hard fame) said to take off your shoes and make fists with your toes on the carpet. Doesn't work.

Response by SSG Pete Fleming made Sep 9 at 2014 3:45 PM

SSG Pete Fleming — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 15:45:03 -0400

The actual jet lag has never been a real issue for me... doesn't matter how long the flight I can't sleep anyway...

What always bothers me is the pressure... My ears always feel like they could explode! I've tried the gum chewing, the yawning, the blowing my nose... but my ears just hurt for a while during take-off and landing... any suggestions on that, thank you...

Response by LT Jessica Kellogg made Sep 9 at 2014 7:08 PM

LT Jessica Kellogg — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 19:08:48 -0400

If you're able to make your own flight arrangements, I find it helpful to fly overnight when going East so that the plane lands in the morning.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2014 9:19 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 09:19:59 -0500

I take melatonin supplements before my flight to try to adjust with the time zone of my destination. I continue to take melatonin at night before I go to bed at my destination. It definitely alleviates the jet lag.