Jet lag.
After flying to Tokyo, I felt pretty great for having moved across multiple time zones. And with the exception of waking at about 1:30am for the first couple of nights (but falling back to sleep rather quickly), and falling into a very deep sleep at a crazy early hour one of the first nights - I felt very few symptoms of jet lag. Fell asleep very easily, woke up bright and early feeling well rested. I thought this world travel thing was a piece of cake.
I was blissfully unaware that apparently travel west to east is much harder on the body, and generally produces worse jet lag. Now I know in a painful, terrible, personal way just how real the struggle is.
I am tired. But can't sleep. I am disoriented. I feel slow and clumsy. I slept better last night and today (yesterday?) was more alert and energetic in the morning. So, I believed I was starting to improve. As tired as I was by dinner, I felt sure I would have no trouble sleeping tonight.
I was wrong.
And apparently this can last a week or longer, depending on how many time zones you crossed? Ugh...
Sadly, all the tips I am finding on dealing with jet lag seem to mostly be for pre-travel or during travel. Other than that it's mostly just "drink lots of water, you can try melatonin or sleeping pills... and good luck with that"
If any of you have any tips for coping with jet lag from your personal experiences - I would love to hear them!
