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Unfortunately, exotic places come with a physical price tag - jet lag!
It won't kill you and by the end of your trip it'll probably be a distant memory, at least until you fly home. But it can be unsettling and knowing what to expect and how to deal with the symptoms is helpful.
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Coping with jet lag - Resetting your body clockJet lag is dictated by our body clock, so unless you've been blessed with a travel model, you're going to feel zombie-like for a couple of days. Your best bet is to get into your new time zone as soon as you get on the plane. Sleep or don't sleep according to what's happening in the country you're going to.
If you're flying west, time goes ‘backwards' and you could end up with a 36-hour day. Try to stay awake - not difficult on some planes! A stroll up and down the aisle can help. Expect it to be more difficult if you're flying east - your day will be shorter, and you'll probably have to sleep when your body's not ready.
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Drink lots of water while you're flying as being dehydrated disrupts sleep and resist the temptation to indulge in alcohol, free or not - a hangover certainly won't help!
Coping with jet lag - Getting through the night
Being awake in the middle of the night can be lonely so have something on hand to occupy you. A torch is a good idea if you're sharing accommodation and can't turn the light on - it'll let you read a few pages of a book or help you find your MP3 player.
Make a hot drink - not coffee! - or try the old remedy of counting sheep, pints, whatever. Anything that gets you to relax will help.
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