How to beat jet lag
February 2, 2006
The Scotsman has a piece about Chris Idzikowski (good Scottish name), director of Edinburgh Sleep Centre, who has been researching jet lag for British Airways.
The answer lies in seeking out daylight at precisely the right time and shunning it like Dracula for hours either side.
Dr Idzikowski said that traditional wisdom for jet lag - to seek natural daylight - is often flawed. The body’s biological clock resets best when exposed to light at certain times - not always during the day.
The day after arriving in Tokyo, for instance, travellers should seek light between 5am and 7:30 am, but then avoid light between 7:30am and 10am.
He said: “It’s not very intuitive, but I assure you it’s very scientific. An equation has been developed called the ‘phase- response curve’ that describes the biological clock’s reaction to light.
Good, but what if you have to pop out to a meeting at eight thirty? Do you stick a bag over your head?
The culmination of the doctor’s work takes the form of a new interactive jet lag advisor on the BA website. Enter the time here and the time there and something about your sleep habits and it will tell you when to seek out daylight.
Just to pad out the coverage, the Scotsman also interviewed the less scientifically minded Averyl Oates, fashion director of Harvey Nichols, who comes up with a great solution for jet lag.
choose holidays in places like South Africa, where crossing time zones is not an issue
Yes, never mind you really want to go to Hong Kong. Buy a ticket to Jo’Burg instead.
Technorati Tags: jetlag, travel, travelpr, britishairways
Comments
4 Responses to “How to beat jet lag”
For me it’s always been the best to be active. Do what you’re supposed to do at 8pm in your new timezone and you’ll forget the jetlag.
I can say from my own experience that it is easier to fly from west to east. If I fly to the US from europe I have no problems at all. But going back to europe always kicked me.
For me it’s always been the best to be active. Do what you’re supposed to do at 8pm in your new timezone and you’ll forget the jetlag.
I can say from my own experience that it is easier to fly from west to east. If I fly to the US from europe I have no problems at all. But going back to europe always kicked me.
I agree, travel addict. Keep active! I also think it’s easier to beat jetlag if you really immerse yourself in your new destination, if you do something really interesting (which means, of course, it might be tougher when you get home).
Also - and this is where I am going to sound like a nutcase - I swear by bananas. I swap bananas for at least one meal on the way and I have fewer problems. Something to do with potassium levels maybe.
Have a good trip to the States.
I agree, travel addict. Keep active! I also think it’s easier to beat jetlag if you really immerse yourself in your new destination, if you do something really interesting (which means, of course, it might be tougher when you get home).
Also - and this is where I am going to sound like a nutcase - I swear by bananas. I swap bananas for at least one meal on the way and I have fewer problems. Something to do with potassium levels maybe.
Have a good trip to the States.