| REFLEXOLOGY And so much more… |
Oran Aviv
| Yes Virginia, There is No Jet Lag! |
During this holiday season many people will be
flying for a vacation or to visit family. For those
who fly over several time zones – this sometimes
leads to what many call "jet lag." Well I'm here
to tell you that jet lag is not inevitable and can be
totally avoided! With personal experience of
traveling numerous transatlantic flights (I traveled
over 70,000 km in one year alone) and having
traveled long hauls (20+ hours) with children of
various ages, I also once thought that jet lag was
part of travel, but today I believe that one does
not have to suffer from jet lag on long flights.
You do, however, need to follow a few important
guidelines to prevent feeling the symptoms of
what we refer to as jet lag:
flying for a vacation or to visit family. For those
who fly over several time zones – this sometimes
leads to what many call "jet lag." Well I'm here
to tell you that jet lag is not inevitable and can be
totally avoided! With personal experience of
traveling numerous transatlantic flights (I traveled
over 70,000 km in one year alone) and having
traveled long hauls (20+ hours) with children of
various ages, I also once thought that jet lag was
part of travel, but today I believe that one does
not have to suffer from jet lag on long flights.
You do, however, need to follow a few important
guidelines to prevent feeling the symptoms of
what we refer to as jet lag:
Water - Drink, Drink and Drink Some More
This is probably the most important factor in preventing jet lag. When you fly you
dehydrate. The air you breathe while flying is compressed air that is dry. You must
drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration which causes tiredness (thus the feeling of jet
lag,)
I suggest taking an empty bottle on the plane (Make sure you empty it before going through
security) and then once on the plane ask the flight attendant to fill it up with water. Drink
constantly and fill up the bottle with water every time you finish it.
By drinking water you will also have to get up and use the lavatory which iswhy I always
request an aisle seat. Getting up leads us to another important factor in preventing jet lag:
Moving and Stretching
Getting up, moving and stretching on the plane can also help you arrive without jet lag.
Sitting for long periods of time is unhealthy and can even be dangerous for those who
have circulation challenges.
Get up and move around the plane. Go talk to the cabin crew in the back, visit the lavatory
or just take a walk up and down the aisle.
In most of the newer planes there is an area near the back of the plane where you can do
some stretching exercises. Raise your arms up and out, twist, bend over to stretch the
back of your legs and lower calves. Rise up on your toes several times (that's relevé for
you ex-ballerinas) to stretch your calves. Spend at least 15 minutes standing up and
stretching and moving your feet and legs. Do this at least once every few hours during
long flights.
While you are sitting in your seat you can also increase circulation in your legs: Circle
your feet at the ankle in both directions and also point and flex the feet. Use Reflexology
to increase circulation by pressing with your thumbs and fingers all over the foot,
especially on the ball of the foot. This area tends to get swollen after sitting for long
periods.
For those of you who learned Basic Hand Reflexology, do the series of hand exercises
and Reflexology on the hands to help increase circulation to your internal organs as well.
This may also prevent constipation, another factor associated with travel and what is
called "jet lag".
Don't Look Back
Once you get on the plane set your watches to the time of your destination. It is
imperative to not think about the time zone you were in. Many travelers have the
tendency to say "oh – of course I’m tired now because it's the middle of the night in
country x." This just confuses the mind and doesn't allow you to adjust to your new time
zone. Set your watches and keep your mind only in the new time zone.
♫Night and Day, You are the One - ♫
Separate day from night. When it is daytime in you new destination, go out and be in the
sun. This allows you body to realize that it is daytime and understand that you should
now be awake and up. If you have a long flight and have a stop-over during the day for
several hours, try to go outside of the airport terminal. It's tempting to find a hot-spot at
the airport and just sit and use your computer, but your body needs to be outside and to
move.
Being outside in the sun will help your body get use to the time change. It is also
important to get as much fresh air as you can after being cooped up in a plane and terminal
where there is only circulated air.
Finally, while you are outside walk as much as you can. If you only have carry on luggage
and enough time between flights, walk from terminal to terminal rather than sit on the
shuttle bus or sky train. If you have a longer stopover, see if you can take a bus or train
into town and walk.*
When I have a long stopover at Heathrow airport, I take the tube for a few stations to a
nearby town and spend a few hours walking around there. At JFK I just walk between the
terminals to get some air. Even though the air by the airport is not the freshest, it is better
than breathing other people's air that you have been breathing in closed planes and
terminals.
*Always check with the airport staff to see what time you need to be back at the terminal to have enough time
to pass through security sand make your flight!
This is probably the most important factor in preventing jet lag. When you fly you
dehydrate. The air you breathe while flying is compressed air that is dry. You must
drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration which causes tiredness (thus the feeling of jet
lag,)
I suggest taking an empty bottle on the plane (Make sure you empty it before going through
security) and then once on the plane ask the flight attendant to fill it up with water. Drink
constantly and fill up the bottle with water every time you finish it.
By drinking water you will also have to get up and use the lavatory which iswhy I always
request an aisle seat. Getting up leads us to another important factor in preventing jet lag:
Moving and Stretching
Getting up, moving and stretching on the plane can also help you arrive without jet lag.
Sitting for long periods of time is unhealthy and can even be dangerous for those who
have circulation challenges.
Get up and move around the plane. Go talk to the cabin crew in the back, visit the lavatory
or just take a walk up and down the aisle.
In most of the newer planes there is an area near the back of the plane where you can do
some stretching exercises. Raise your arms up and out, twist, bend over to stretch the
back of your legs and lower calves. Rise up on your toes several times (that's relevé for
you ex-ballerinas) to stretch your calves. Spend at least 15 minutes standing up and
stretching and moving your feet and legs. Do this at least once every few hours during
long flights.
While you are sitting in your seat you can also increase circulation in your legs: Circle
your feet at the ankle in both directions and also point and flex the feet. Use Reflexology
to increase circulation by pressing with your thumbs and fingers all over the foot,
especially on the ball of the foot. This area tends to get swollen after sitting for long
periods.
For those of you who learned Basic Hand Reflexology, do the series of hand exercises
and Reflexology on the hands to help increase circulation to your internal organs as well.
This may also prevent constipation, another factor associated with travel and what is
called "jet lag".
Don't Look Back
Once you get on the plane set your watches to the time of your destination. It is
imperative to not think about the time zone you were in. Many travelers have the
tendency to say "oh – of course I’m tired now because it's the middle of the night in
country x." This just confuses the mind and doesn't allow you to adjust to your new time
zone. Set your watches and keep your mind only in the new time zone.
♫Night and Day, You are the One - ♫
Separate day from night. When it is daytime in you new destination, go out and be in the
sun. This allows you body to realize that it is daytime and understand that you should
now be awake and up. If you have a long flight and have a stop-over during the day for
several hours, try to go outside of the airport terminal. It's tempting to find a hot-spot at
the airport and just sit and use your computer, but your body needs to be outside and to
move.
Being outside in the sun will help your body get use to the time change. It is also
important to get as much fresh air as you can after being cooped up in a plane and terminal
where there is only circulated air.
Finally, while you are outside walk as much as you can. If you only have carry on luggage
and enough time between flights, walk from terminal to terminal rather than sit on the
shuttle bus or sky train. If you have a longer stopover, see if you can take a bus or train
into town and walk.*
When I have a long stopover at Heathrow airport, I take the tube for a few stations to a
nearby town and spend a few hours walking around there. At JFK I just walk between the
terminals to get some air. Even though the air by the airport is not the freshest, it is better
than breathing other people's air that you have been breathing in closed planes and
terminals.
*Always check with the airport staff to see what time you need to be back at the terminal to have enough time
to pass through security sand make your flight!
When to Sleep
Today the in-flight programs on many of the airplanes
can keep us busy for hours with movies, television
programs and games. It is important, however, to try to
close your eyes and nap for a few hours on a long flight
or take several short naps. It is also important not to
sleep for too long especially if you are arriving to your
destination at night and want to be able to go to sleep
soon after landing.
Today the in-flight programs on many of the airplanes
can keep us busy for hours with movies, television
programs and games. It is important, however, to try to
close your eyes and nap for a few hours on a long flight
or take several short naps. It is also important not to
sleep for too long especially if you are arriving to your
destination at night and want to be able to go to sleep
soon after landing.
The trick most people know to prevent jet lag which really does work is to try to stay up at
least till 10:00 PM (22:00) at your new destination. This will help you sleep through the
night. If you can stay up till 11:00 PM or midnight then you will have a better chance of
sleeping through the night.
If you arrive early in the day and know you can't possibly stay up till late at night, allow
yourself a very short nap (no more than 2 hours) and make sure you will wake up after.
Then spend the rest of the day outside in the sunshine.
If you or other members of your family do wake up during the night keep the lights off and
just speak quietly. In most cases you will probably fall back asleep in an hour or two.
least till 10:00 PM (22:00) at your new destination. This will help you sleep through the
night. If you can stay up till 11:00 PM or midnight then you will have a better chance of
sleeping through the night.
If you arrive early in the day and know you can't possibly stay up till late at night, allow
yourself a very short nap (no more than 2 hours) and make sure you will wake up after.
Then spend the rest of the day outside in the sunshine.
If you or other members of your family do wake up during the night keep the lights off and
just speak quietly. In most cases you will probably fall back asleep in an hour or two.
Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season and I
hope to hear from all you travelers that you too
agree that there is no such thin as jet lag!
Oran Aviv
Oran@reflexandmore.com
hope to hear from all you travelers that you too
agree that there is no such thin as jet lag!
Oran Aviv
Oran@reflexandmore.com
Oran Aviv, a senior Reflexologist since 1995, has been helping adults and children stay
healthy for over 15 years. Oran also lectures and teaches basic Hand Reflexology
workshops all across the country, showing people how to literally, put their health in
their own hands. To have Oran lecture to or teach your group, to arrange a
Reflexology session or to receive Oran's monthly newsletters, which includes an
article like this one - email her at oran@reflexandmore.com or click here.
Other Articles
Return to Home
healthy for over 15 years. Oran also lectures and teaches basic Hand Reflexology
workshops all across the country, showing people how to literally, put their health in
their own hands. To have Oran lecture to or teach your group, to arrange a
Reflexology session or to receive Oran's monthly newsletters, which includes an
article like this one - email her at oran@reflexandmore.com or click here.
Other Articles
Return to Home
| לחצו כאןלתרגום בעברית |