I'm experiencing jet-lag, any tips on how to adjust my sleep pattern?

Wheaties · Jul 2, 2004

I just came back from a vacation in another country, in a flight that took 12 hours nonstop from philippines to san francisco. so i decided to sleep coz i was dead tired, i must have slept for a good 7 hours all in all if i total it up.

and the plane arrived 8 30 pm during the night- june 30th.

i should have followed the rules in the airline pamphlet that if the arrival time is at night, stay awake throught the flight.

so i decided to stay awake all night last night and all day to see if i can tire my body out so i can get some sleep. its currently 12 am july 2nd and i'm still awake. i was really sleepy during the day, but i didnt want to fall asleep so that i can tire myself out.

i got jet lagged a 5 years back, same scenario, and it took me 3 weeks (maybe less) before i could adjust.

any tips on how i can readjust my sleep pattern?

NewEastCoastRN · Jul 2, 2004

just give it time. if you want to sleep, i recommend benadryl. i switch back and forth from the day to night shift every 2 weeks, so i have permanent jetlag.

NewEastCoastRN · Jul 2, 2004

just give it time. if you want to sleep, i recommend benadryl. i switch back and forth from the day to night shift every 2 weeks, so i have permanent jetlag.

hypnotic_nurse · Jul 2, 2004

Melatonin. You take it at the time you should be going to bed. Works beautifully with jet lag; I didn't have any on my last trip overseas and that was the first time I'd used it.

hypnotic_nurse · Jul 2, 2004

Melatonin. You take it at the time you should be going to bed. Works beautifully with jet lag; I didn't have any on my last trip overseas and that was the first time I'd used it.

Wheaties · Jul 2, 2004

i'll give melatonin supplements a try. i'm desperate, i only had 2 hours of sleep in the last 48 or so hours.

does melatonin supplements really work hypnotic nurse?

Wheaties · Jul 2, 2004

i'll give melatonin supplements a try. i'm desperate, i only had 2 hours of sleep in the last 48 or so hours.

does melatonin supplements really work hypnotic nurse?

Farkinott, RN · Jul 2, 2004

I may sound glib but go to bed only when you are tired and if you have trouble dropping off to sleep read a really boring text book.

The main thing is not to worry about not having enough sleep!

Farkinott, RN · Jul 2, 2004

I may sound glib but go to bed only when you are tired and if you have trouble dropping off to sleep read a really boring text book.

The main thing is not to worry about not having enough sleep!

James Huffman · Jul 2, 2004

Sleep, sleep, sleep. That's the easy answer to jetlag ... but everybody has already said that.

You are probably also dehydrated. (Nobody drinks enough H2O on flights, and the air is something akin to the Mojave desert). Start drinking water ... lots of it.

Jim Huffman, RN

James Huffman · Jul 2, 2004

Sleep, sleep, sleep. That's the easy answer to jetlag ... but everybody has already said that.

You are probably also dehydrated. (Nobody drinks enough H2O on flights, and the air is something akin to the Mojave desert). Start drinking water ... lots of it.

Jim Huffman, RN