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.

Hotel helps to induce sleep...

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.

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)

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)