For the first time ever Im going to the States next month and am so excited!

Its New York so not THAT long a flight - but my friend went last year and when she came back said it took her a few days to get her sleeping pattern back.

Now I have to say I am easily "thrown" when I miss a few hours sleep - should I expect to be ok to New York? We land around 1.00pm - should we have an early night the first night to try and catch up or just go for it!!?

Sorry if it sounds naff but Ive actually never been on a flight longer than to Tenerife before

tootsie,

No dont have an early night, try and stay up until your normal time you go to bed in the UK.Here is a link 10 ways to beat Jetlag.

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/travelhealth/Pages/Jetlag.aspx

Angie.

Excellent link Angie - thanks for that

especially this bit

Stay up till 11pm
When you arrive, don't go straight to bed for a nap, however quick it is. You'll feel better temporarily, but you'll only confuse your body clock and delay making the time change. Stay up until 11pm if you can.

that answered my question brilliantly.

Any of you suffer after travelling - if so please post - thanks x

Stay awake as long as possible first night. When you get back to the UK again try to force your body back into normal sleep patterns ASAP.

We went to Dom Rep 11 years ago and I suffered really badly with Jet lag there. There was a 5 hr time difference and we landed at 12pm after a 10 hr flight (body time was 5pm). We were told by reps on the bus no matter how tired we felt do not go to bed until after 11. Well come 7pm (DR time)and after a hefty meal I was shattered so we decided to have a power nap 9 hours later I was up, fresh as a daisy and wide awake at 4am That day was horrendous but I did manage to stay awake till 11.30pm ( and I was first down to bag the best beds! )
We had a night flight coming back so landed at 6am so had been awake for nearly 24hrs ( I can't sleep on planes) After 3hr drive back we arrived home around 10 and I so wanted to go to bed but I remembered how I'd felt first day of hols so persevered till 9pm and after a 12hr sleep everything was fine.
Enjoy ur hols.

Merged with existing topics which may have some information in earlier posts.

luci

Set your watch to your destination time as soon as you get on the plane.

Stay up as long as possible on your first night, at least until 9-10pm.

Don't drink alcohol on the flight (Aye right!).

Don't think what time it is at home, adjust to the time at your destination.

luci

Don't drink alcohol on the flight (Aye right!).

errrrm .............errrrrr lots of good advice but I dont know if I can stick to that one!

Seriously thanks so much everyone for the advice - and to Luci for merging this so there is more information!