Some Advice from Veteran Time Travelers

Our Chapman Freeborn On Board Couriers expertly manage ‘time travel’ on tight turnaround schedules, but when traveling for more than a day or two, they suggest adding these techniques:

• Cut down on sugar and alcohol at least three days prior to your flight.
• Start drinking more water three days before you fly.
• Three nights prior to your flight, adjust your bed time and exposure to light each night.
• When you board, set your phone, computer and watch to the new time zone.
• Drink water and drink more water.
• On long flights, get up and walk the aisles once or twice.
• Arriving in the morning? Grab a shower and change. Get out in the sunlight. Light is the most important part of resetting your body clock.
• Arriving in the evening? DO NOT Nap. Shower, change and go for a walk, a snack and stay vertical until bed time in your new location.

“On many of our OBC missions, we travel great distances and back within a span of 24-48 hours. On those trips, I don’t try to adjust my body clock since I won’t be gone long enough for it to make sense. I listen to my body’s needs; eat when I’m hungry and sleep when I’m tired regardless of the time. If I will be on the ground for a longer period, it’s all about getting fresh air, walking around and acclimating to my new environment. In either case, the importance of staying hydrated can’t be stressed enough.”

Rob Alleman, OBC Manager, USA