Whether it's flying my life across the globe, nipping to Paris for a petit voyage or travelling business for a book launch, I consider myself to be a pretty seasoned traveller.
Traveling is like childbirth, after a while you forget the pain and want to do it all over again. In the last twelve months I've circumnavigated the globe twice - zigzagging my way from LA to Sydney, Miami and LA then onto Cannes, Paris, London and Dubai. I'm really lucky to be able to combine business with pleasure and to travel in comfort.
I know that jetlag is a first world problem, but even so - it is a problem. Over the years I've tried to lessen the misery by trying everything; from floatation tanks to melatonin, rehydration therapies, vitamins, staying awake the whole way, falling asleep part of the way, setting my watch forward and setting it back. I've bought a Blue Max light therapy visor and countless insomnia hypnotherapy tapes and frankly I'm not sure it was all worth the effort.
It's best to keep things simple and accept that you'll be out of kilter for a few days. Hopefully you'll be having such a wonderful time, you'll hardly notice.
Some of my tips...
1.Hydrate and eat lightly for a day or two before you travel. Part of that horrible jetlagged feeling is caused by water retention from sitting down too long. Walk around the cabin every hour if possible. That way your feet won't swell and you'll still fit your clothes when you land.
2.A few days before you fly, try switching your bedtime closer to your new time zone. When I'm going to New York I start to get up a few hours earlier in LA. For long haul I take evening flights so that I can have a nap in the afternoon.
3.Don't take medication to help you sleep on the plane. It may seem like a good idea, but you run the risk of rebound insomnia the next night. I'm always terrified I'd be out for the count and have to be escorted off by medics on arrival.
4.Take a good book. Reading takes more effort than watching the in-flight movies and you'll get a better quality of sleep on board when you're more tired. You know the rest of the drill - dress in layers, carry a fleece or pajamas and wear loose fitting clothes.
5. Take advantage of the in-flight hospitality. Having said that, I do try to moderate the wine. It goes to your head more quickly in the air and you don't want to arrive with a hangover. Eat a full meal at the local lunch or dinnertime. Your body will adjust much more quickly. One of the worst parts of jetlag is waking up hungry in the small hours of the morning.
Finally the best cure of all is excitement! Be really happy to be where you are and the energy will find you. Bon Voyage!
Read more about Thérèse's adventures at www.thereseblogs.com