Plane Travel & Meds

I find plane travel very nerve racking ( made worse by a bad experience now too! ) and have been prescribed some valium for a longer haul flight.

Does anyone have any tips for avoiding the jet lag feeling combined with the valium? For me , the valium made me sleepy , although it was after a long week at work when I took it. My head just felt a little foggy the next day, the best way I could describe it was slighly hang over without the desire to throw up or need a greasy breakfast.

Anything else besides drinking lots of water fluids rather than coffee ( not drinking alcohol - so that isnt an issue)

Re: jet lag feeling etc, get outside and walk in the sunshine when you arrive. Sunlight can re-set your body clock. Just as an aside, in the everyday: if you're wanting to stay up late, get late afternoon sunlight onto your eyes. If you're wanting to get to bed early (but have trouble falling asleep) get early morning light (and stay indoors/avoid late arvo sunlight on your eyes/eyelids). I know that they do light therapy with older people in aged care, as they don't tend to get outdoors as much. It really works.

Also, not sure when you're due to go travelling, can you see a counsellor to work on your fears beforehand? Breathing/relaxaxtion strategies, challenging your negative thoughts etc?

Either way, hope you enjoy your trip!

My best advice is fly at night, try to arrive at your destination in the morning, adjust to the destinations time as soon as you get on the plane and if you have to nap when you arrive no more than 2 hrs.