Surviving the Flight

As soon as you get on the airplane, set your watch to local New Haven time. It will help ease the effects of jetlag by getting you mentally prepared for the new time schedule. Once you arrive, especially if you have crossed many time zones, you will probably feel like eating and sleeping at the wrong times. You may need to take a short nap when you finally get here (not more than an hour and set your alarm!). Whatever you do, resist the urge to fall into a bed somewhere to 'sleep it off.' It’s best if you try to eat and sleep at normal times. If you stay up until a normal bedtime once you’ve arrived and then set your alarm to wake you up in the morning, you will get over your jetlag much more quickly.

For a long flight, ear-plugs, an eye-mask, an inflatable travel pillow and some herbal tea to help you sleep can help make your flight more comfortable. Because of the dehydrating atmosphere in the air cabin, it is recommended that you avoid drinking alcohol or caffeine. The dehydrating effects of these types of beverages will generally be intensified when flying, and can be quite negative – causing headaches or nausea. It is a much better choice to drink plenty of water and juice on the plane. To have a more restful journey, you may wish to carry your own sleep-inducing herbal tea with you and ask for hot water from the flight attendant so you can make your own tea before settling in for a sleep. You may also want to bring some healthy snacks for the longer portions of your flight in case you get hungry in between meal services.