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Dealing with
jet lag...
Jet lag is a physical condition
caused when the body’s inner clock and the outside world
are not in sync. Of course the body eventually does adjust to
a new time zone, given enough time. A rule of thumb says that
it takes 24 hours for every time zone crossed. There are ways
to help push your body clock forward or backward, however, effectively
reducing the time it takes for your body to adjust.
• Before
you leave, start cutting back on caffeine use. This will help
you adjust to avoiding caffeine during your trip or wanting
your morning caffeine kick when it’s evening in the new
time zone.
•
If you have some flexibility, schedule your trip
to allow you a day to adjust to a new time zone. It will help
you be sharp for your meetings if you get a little extra adjustment
time.
• As soon as you
step into the plane, reset your watch to your destination’s
time zone. Begin immediately to “live” in that time
zone. If it’s 8 p.m. where you’re departing, but
3 a.m. where you’re going, pretend it’s 3 a.m. and
go immediately to sleep. Use your earplugs and eyeshades.
Don’t wait for all the passengers to get on the plane,
don’t wait to eat the dinner, just do your best to go
to sleep. Then try to wake up when it’s morning in the
new time zone.
 •
Don’t drink alcohol or caffeine at all on
the plane. If you must have your morning coffee, wait until
it’s actually morning in your new destination.
• Resist the urge
to stay up late and socialize the first night. Go to bed at
a reasonable time so you can get a full night’s sleep.
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Hotels help
induce sleep...
 At
the Ritz-Carlton in Hong Kong, guests can order a Ladies
Bath and 15 minutes prior to bathing time, a butler arrives
with the necessary amenities. This particular bath is considered
the hotel's perfect solution for businesswomen longing to be
pampered after a stressful day at work or a long and tiring
flight. The water is scented with chamomile, frankincense and
geranium. To add to the relaxation, guests are provided with
a soothing eye compress to reduce puffiness as well as lavender
to rub on the temples to induce sleep. A post-bath snack consists
of freshly squeezed vegetable or fruit drinks accompanied by
a selection of crudities. M-m-m-m-m... Lovely!
In Toronto, The Four
Season Hotel provides their guests with what they call "Thoughtful
Turndowns." In the evening, housekeepers dim guest room lighting,
adjust room temperature, draw curtains, turn the bed down and
tune the radio to play soft music creating a tranquil refuge
for women to settle in for a good night's sleep. Specially-designed
blackout curtains provide the perfect conditions for rest during
the day or evening.
At Chicago's Gold Coast
Guest House, host Sally Baker offers herbal tea or a glass
of milk and cookies to female execs who choose her B&B experience
when they're doing business in the Windy City. Bonus: Some of
Sally's bedrooms have whirlpool tubs en-suite. A perfect late-night
inducement to sleep. Want more info? Contact Sally@bbchicago.com
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Dream on...
 For
the night before you travel
Can't sleep? Try adding two
cups of Epsom salts and a few drops of lavender oil to a tub
of warm water for a before bed soak. The salts soothe muscles
and the scent calms your mood.
While you're on the road
This is another sweet dream
inducer: sip a cup of passion flower tea at bedtime. Specialty
teas are now oh-so-easy to find in supermarkets and health food
stores.
(Adapted from a tip in Glow, spring 2002)
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Women's Words
on Sleep...
 To
sleep is an act of faith.
(Barbara G. Harrison, 1984)
I reached for sleep and
drew it round me like a blanket muffling pain and thought together
in merciful dark.
(Mary Stewart, The Hollow Hills, 1973)
Sleeping alone, except
under doctor's orders, does much harm. Children will tell you
how lonely it is sleeping alone. If possible, you should always
sleep with someone you love. You both recharge your mutual batteries
free of charge.
(Marlene Deitrich, Marlene Deitrich's ABC, 1962)
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