The real recovery process starts after the flight and this is where what you choose to do will determine whether you spend a week in life limbo or are up and running a day or two later. Flying west to east may make a difference but how you treat your time on arrival is more critical.
A few tips I try to stick to:
- I do not go to bed immediately when reaching landfall
- Even if it is midnight I have a drink (water of course!) and a light snack
- I always read something or listen to music or watch a short film
- If I arrive in the day I go outside immediately - and shop
- I try to get plenty of daylight and if possible sunshine
- I try to spend every minute outside in the fresh air especially by the sea
- I keep moving but make the exercise gentle- no frantic gym work
- I wear good quality flight socks: pains like cramp in legs and elsewhere a bad sign so see a doctor- this means that you forgot your flight socks. I have done this...
- I take Melatonin for three nights - and three days before setting off
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