What Can We Do about Jet Lag?

Here are some of our favorite strategies for resetting your body's clock.
•Start Rested. The preparation for a long trip often means you're tired before you begin. If at all possible, get enough rest in the days prior to your trip, so you can start out strong and full of energy.
•Sleep. It's best if you can sleep on the plane. Earplugs, eyeshades, and a comfortable neck pillow are well worth the effort of packing if they prevent you from losing a day to jet lag. Try to take care of as many travel details as possible before you leave so that flight day is stress and anxiety-free, and wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
•Many travelers have depended successfully on No-Jet-Lag to help them feel fresh on arrival. It's a surprisingly effective, natural homeopathic product that addresses all the symptoms of jet lag, not just sleeplessness.
•While a drink or two may relax you, alcohol can dehydrate you, making your symptoms worse. Also, Flight Safety Expert Diana Fairechild (author of Jet Smarter) says "Avoid sleeping pills and mind-altering pharmaceuticals on the day you fly. In the event of an emergency, you will need all your faculties in order to survive."
•Drink water. Lots of it. Plan on 8 to 16 ounces during each hour of travel. Taking a bottle or two on board can save you the awkwardness of repeatedly pressing the "call button" for another glass of water, and will help you resist caffeinated and sugared drinks, which can actually make you more dehydrated. Have a nice, long hot bath when you arrive to rehydrate and relax.
•Exercise. The long periods of sitting on an airplane, bus, or train are hard on your body. Walking and stretching exercises in flight will help your body adjust to the new climate. To help reset your body clock, try to stay awake until bedtime rather than taking a nap upon arrival - spending time outdoors seems to help most travelers.
•Experience. As you travel, experiment to find the system that works best for you. Some travelers forswear all naps, others insist on them. Keeping note of your experiences will help you get the most from future trips. Consult with fellow travelers, too. Their experiences can help you avoid days lost to jet lag discomfort.

Know risks you face.

Do the research so you’ll know the particular risks you face. Know the local laws and abide by them.
Register your whereabouts with the U.S. Embassy if you are staying longer than two weeks or are in a particularly dangerous area.
Dress conservatively and try to blend in. If you are in an area with groups of people hostile to the United States, and there are many, avoid clothing or other items that openly label you as a U.S. citizen. Take care when choosing your hotel and transportation providers.
If you haven’t left your valuables at home, leave them in your hotel’s safe.
Don’t draw attention to yourself, avoid wearing flashy jewelry and don’t display large amounts of cash. Carry only enough cash to make it through the day and leave the rest in the hotel’s safe.
Avoid traveling alone.
Be careful about sharing your traveling plans with strangers.
Stick to the main roads and avoid taking shortcuts down narrow alleys and/or poorly lit streets.
Always be aware of what is going on around you.
Only use taxis, tours and other transportation services with official markings. Only select transportation from official pickup points at transportation hubs.
Be very careful if you are asked to sell or part with your personal items. Many countries have restrictions on items foreigners can sell or give away and you can get into serious trouble for violating those laws.
Never accept gifts or packages from unknown parties.
Don’t accept items from locals to carry out of the country and deliver or mail to someone they know.
Approach any "special deals" with caution, especially if you have to go off the beaten path to get them.
Know the laws about exchanging money. Only use official exchange facilities since this is another area that can get you into trouble fast.

How can I protect my travelers checks while traveling?

Take the same precautions you would to protect your cash. Be sure to learn and follow the procedures required if you lose your travelers checks. You’ll also need to make copies of your travelers checks before you go and keep separate from them the following information.
The serial numbers of the travelers checks.
The denomination of the travelers checks.
The date and location of their purchase.
The phone number to call to report them missing.

What should I know about using travelers checks?

What should I know about using travelers checks?
If the particular brand of travelers checks are accepted in the country you’ll be visiting.
How widely they are accepted within the countries you’ll be visiting.
Any fees for purchasing and using the travelers checks.
The travelers check company’s loss, replacement and refund policies.

How can my credit card company help prepare me for my trip?

How can my credit card company help prepare me for my trip?
You can arrange to pay bills that will come due while you are gone.
They will be aware that you will be making charges from another country.
They will be able to give you an idea of how acceptable their credit card is in that particular country.
They can verify acceptance at certain foreign locations.
They’ll be able to see if your PIN number will work in the countries you are visiting. They can also issue you another PIN number if your current PIN is unacceptable to the foreign bank’s system.
They can explain cash advance, ATM, foreign purchase and foreign exchange rate policies and fees.
They can explain any services they offer, such as, extra insurance for your rental car, luggage or purchases. Make sure the coverage offered extends outside the United States and will be valid in all the countries where you’ll be traveling. Also, be sure to note any other exceptions.
They may need to give you another phone number to call in case you need to reach them. The 800 number listed on the back of your card may not work from foreign locations.
You can find out if they charge a currency conversion fee, so you can find the most economical card on which to place your foreign purchases.