Overcoming jetlag

STRETCHING and doing light exercises were the most popular methods of handling jetlag, according to a recent survey by Skyscanner, the world’s fastest growing global travel search site. Almost two-thirds (61%) of the 1,000 Singaporean respondents in the study stated that they resorted to those particular methods.

“People often try various methods in order to beat lag,” said Ira Noviani, Skyscanner Singapore’s marketing manager. Other popular anti-jetlag techniques include exercising and getting fresh air before a flight (60%), setting one’s watch to the new time-zone (48%) and staying awake during the flight (47%).

“In an ideal world, we should begin taking on the habits of destination time zone before we leave home, to prevent jetlag. That is, eating at the same time and sleeping or resting at the same time as what you would be doing at the destination. Of course, this isn’t always possible,” said Tony Gherardin, National Medical Adviser at The Travel Doctor-TMVC. He also said that taking sleeping tablets and melatonin may assist the body to get in sync with the time zone when the traveller reaches his destination.

“What works reasonably well is to eat light meals and keep hydrated, as well as avoiding heavy food and alcohol,” Gherardin added.

On average, participants in the survey stated that it took two to three days to recover from the effects of jetlag. Surprisingly, 11% of respondents resorted to taking Viagra to combat the effects of jetlag, following reports that doing so was helpful. Sleeping tablets (21%), herbal remedies (19%), anti-jetlag pills (18%) and melatonin (14%) were used by many of the air passengers surveyed.

The effectiveness of each anti-jetlag technique was also probed in the survey. While light exercises and healthy eating were popular, only around half of those who tried this said they worked in offsetting the effects of a long-haul flight.