Jetlag

We will probably not be doing it again either, absent. We were over there to look after DGS for a while while DS and DiL went away. DS will be coming back soon, as his office in Silicon Valley is being closed down. Also, they had always said they would come back when the little one started school.

DH doesn't really enjoy being in the US as his English is not very good, but he did have a wonderful, if exhausting, time bonding with DGS.

SueDonim, I couldn't possibly not sleep during the day - either when suffering from jetlag or in the normal course of things. It just overcomes me. I'm in danger of my face falling in my dinner once I feel the tiredness coming on. (I've always been like that - at least since I was about 19)

B9 - thanks for the tip about the tablets. If the need arises, I will try and get hold of some. I can't see how they can work in both directions, though - what effect do they actually have?

Having flown to and from New Zealand several times, which included a stopover and an internal flight after the long haul, I always found the best way to deal with fatigue was to go straight into local time. Maybe an early night, but not morning or afternoon naps. Mind you, I am happy that I never have to do that flight across the world again.

I regularly fly across the pond. I drink lots of water on board. I take melatonin which reduces my jet lag by about 50%. When landing in the UK, usually in the morning, I manage to stay up and about until around 9 or 10 pm then flop into bed.

I regularly fly across the pond. I take melatonin which reduces my jet lag by about 50%.

I've done the west coast trip a lot over the years. I make myself stay awake on the day I get home, which isn't hard, what with unpacking, maybe needing to food-shop, doing laundry etc. Then bed at a reasonable time and hopefully sleeping through until morning.

After that, absolutely no daytime naps! None whatsoever. If you feel sleepy, stand up, go for a walk, do something physical to keep you going until bedtime. I find it helpful to preplan the day so there are no 'fallow' periods when you might be tempted to snooze.

Light meals also help, so you don't have anything heavy on your stomach and no alcohol, either, but plenty of water.

Hope you're over it soon!

I am sure it will wear off soon, try to get out in the sun as much as possible. Used to take at least a week to wear off for me.

On future long haul flights you could try what we do. Send off for a pack of Jet Ease No Jet Lag tablets before you go, I think Amazon may sell them now. Take one as soon as you take off, and one every two hours religiously during the flight, finishing with one on landing. If you are boarding another flight, then do the same with that one. As soon as you get onto the plane, put your watch to the time of your destination, and convince yourself that is the time now and behave accordingly.

I was recommended these tablets by a Kiwi cousin, was very sceptical, but they really do work!