What's the best way to avoid jet lag

A. Jet lag happens when you travel out of your normal time zone and suddenly it's morning in the middle of what is your night back home, or you have to go to bed when normally you'd be having lunch. Your body gets confused and out of balance as it tries to adjust to the new time zone.

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Q. What are the symptoms
A. It makes you drowsy during the day and wide awake at night. You feel lethargic and uncoordinated. Your memory is poor. Physically, your body is out of kilter: you have bloating, wind, diarrhoea and constipation. All this comes with headaches and the inability to fall asleep even though you're really, really tired. It's much worse if you're over 30 and you have a set daily routine.

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Q. Sounds like fun! Isn't it worse if you travel in one direction rather than the other
A. Yes, travelling east makes your day much shorter and has a more dramatic effect on your body than travelling west, where your day becomes much longer.

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Q. How can I prevent the effects of jet lag
A. If you're flying east, go to bed earlier than usual for a few days before your flight. Conversely, if you're flying west, stay up later. Also...

• During the flight, drink plenty of water - no alcohol or caffeine. And eat only light meals before, during and after your flight - take fruit to snack on.
• Set your watch to the time of your destination.
• If you're flying during your normal sleeping time, try to get some sleep (sleep masks are good for this).
• Vitamin C helps you cope with the tiredness and strains of travelling. Take along some soluble vitamin C tablets, which make a refreshing drink.
• Try to keep awake until it is time to sleep in the new time.
• When you get home, give yourself a few days to catch up.

Q. Is there anything I can do during the flight to prevent deep vein thrombosis
A. Yes, walk around the cabin regularly and stretch your whole body. Also stretch and wriggle your toes frequently when you're sitting.
Vitamin E can help to keep your blood thin and stop it clotting - take 400iu daily at least a week before travelling and during the flight.

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By Sheena Miller

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