Overcoming jetlag

NP

So, I'm flying out to Tokyo on Wednesday from NYC. Basically I have to go for only one week for some work related activities. Is there anything I can do now to minimize the pain and not be completely fucked up the whole time I'm there? The time difference is 13 hrs between NY and Tokyo. Flight leaves at 11am NY time, arrives at around 3pm Tokyo time.

Also, I can't do anything crazy like stay awake all night and sleep all day for the next few days because I still need to go to work on Monday and Tuesday. Is it worth taking a quick nap after work on Tuesday for 2-3 hrs, stay up all night on Tuesday, and then sleep on the plane on Wednesday? Or will that just make things worse?

My days there won't be too physically strenuous. I won't be walking around seeing touristy stuff (since I actually used to live there), but I will be meeting a lot of old friends, and for that I would like to be as mentally alert as possible.

MikeMan

NP wrote: »

So, I'm flying out to Tokyo on Wednesday from NYC. Basically I have to go for only one week for some work related activities. Is there anything I can do now to minimize the pain and not be completely fucked up the whole time I'm there? The time difference is 13 hrs between NY and Tokyo. Flight leaves at 11am NY time, arrives at around 3pm Tokyo time.

Also, I can't do anything crazy like stay awake all night and sleep all day for the next few days because I still need to go to work on Monday and Tuesday. Is it worth taking a quick nap after work on Tuesday for 2-3 hrs, stay up all night on Tuesday, and then sleep on the plane on Wednesday? Or will that just make things worse?

My days there won't be too physically strenuous. I won't be walking around seeing touristy stuff (since I actually used to live there), but I will be meeting a lot of old friends, and for that I would like to be as mentally alert as possible.

Jet lag gets this weird reputation, but it's really just your body not being able to sleep. There are some residual effects of it being light out when it's not supposed to be according to your internal clock, etc, but the best way, I've found, to deal with it is to try to stay up all night before the flight. Get on the plane, try to sleep on the plane as much as possible (which should be helped by the fact that you're very tired from staying up all night). Then, when you land, stay up as late as you possibly can. If you can last until around 9 or 10 pm you'll hopefully be okay. Then sleep until your body wants you to wake up.

You'll probably end up waking up weirdly early the next morning, but just last the day and that should be the end of it.

At least that's how it works with me.

Your mileage may vary, etc.

edit: i forgot to mention, in order to stay up before the flight, I usually ease my way into it by staying up later the previous day or two. This might not be possible for you.

Gafoto

I wouldn't recommend altering your sleep schedule drastically before the flight. Just sleep on the plane some (you likely won't be able to get any good sleep for any amount of time anyway) and when you arrive be sure to stay awake until nighttime so you can get a proper nights rest and get into a Tokyo schedule.

MikeMan

Gafoto wrote: »

I wouldn't recommend altering your sleep schedule drastically before the flight. Just sleep on the plane some (you likely won't be able to get any good sleep for any amount of time anyway) and when you arrive be sure to stay awake until nighttime so you can get a proper nights rest and get into a Tokyo schedule.

That's just not possible for some people.

I guess if you are confident in your ability to stay up for a combined 30 odd hours in a row, you could go for it.

Oh, one more thing that I forgot to mention but will edit in: in order to stay up before the flight, I usually ease my way into it by staying up later the previous day or two. This might not be possible for you.

firewaterword

Melatonin supplements. I fly a decent amount for business, and I swear by it. Take one the night you arrive, and you'll be set. Look for between 1mg and 3mg pills.

It may also give you crazy-vivid dreams, which is always a cool bonus.

Willeth

You could also just adjust your sleep pattern to that of your destination a few days before travel, if at all possible.

LewieP's Mummy

Melatonin tablets really work. If you take them just after getting on the plane, as well, you'll be more likely to sleep on the plane. The jet lag won't be as bad coming back.