Changing Time Zones and Jet Lag

When you travel from Asia to America, you find yourself on a different day and at a different hour. The clock on this blog shows you the time it is here. During the summer in Maryland, we are on Eastern Daylight Time (GMT -4). How many hours' difference are there between EDT and Tokyo time?

Jet lag is the name for the disrupted sleep patterns and feelings of tiredness, irritation, and disorientation which can affect international travelers. Since you have only two weeks to spend in the U.S., you will want to avoid the effects of jet lag as much as possible. Here are some tips:

On the plane:

o Set your watch to EDT as soon as you board.

o Drink lots of water (not alcohol!)

o Sleep if you can. Consider using earplugs, a neck support pillow, or an eyemask, but avoid using sleeping pills on the plane.

o Walk around the plane as much as possible.

When you arrive:

o Immediately start eating and sleeping according to the new time zone.

o Exercising in the early morning and late afternoon may help re-synchronize your internal clock.

Source: DeAnne Musolf Crouch, “Beating Jet Lag: Travel Tips” http://gorp.away.com/gorp/travel/skills/jet_lag2.htm