I've been thinking about this for a while, and I've decided to ask for your help. You're a cosmopolitan, well-travelled bunch, right? I could use a bit of advice.
On Thursday evening I'm flying to Berlin, and on Friday morning I'll be starting a day's work and an evening's networking.
I'll be coping with the severely shortened night and likely very little sleep on top of the six hour time difference presenting me with a bright and busy day a lot earlier than expected.
So, let's talk tactics. The need to sleep is a given, so your suggestions for in-flight sleeping aids, please, chemical or otherwise, and then, depending on the strength of the sleep aid, I might need something to perk me up in the morning.
Ideally I'd like sleep to be a priority, as my old buddy Mr. Caffeine can help with whatever remnants of somnolence I carry into Friday...
...or has anyone discovered the cure for jetlag and been keeping it to themselves?
Anyone?
For a definite sleep on a long-haul flight, I recommend Diazepam (aka Valium). Worked for me flying to New Zealand anyway, and I wasn't too fucked afterwards to do stuff.
I never do the drugs, I just wing it.
Stay up very late wednesday night, and try shift to EU time so when you hit the plane you're tired and on your landing timezone. Then get off the plane and drink coffee.
When you get to the evening just treat it like a student, drink lots and let the time clock fuck you on saturday.
See, I thought that too, Adrian, but then someone pointed out that to make myself really really tired so I sleep on the flight isn't going to help me not be tired on Friday...it might make it worse.
I'm not sure I could get hold of any valium, Matt, or if I'd be happy taking it...we'll see.
Anyone else?
Then have a light night tuesday but sleep in wednesday, and start shifting your time zone closer to target.
Works for me.
In all fairness, I wouldn't exactly recommend doing the valium thing, even if I did do it myself. Just say no.
Adrian's time-zone-shifting suggestion would seem to make a lot of sense. I heard an interview with some Formula 1 drivers about how they coped with the constantly shifting time zones of the F1 calendar, and they all followed the same method.
I'm really sensitive to medicine so one tylenol PM crashes me out. I'm groggy in the morning though so maybe avoid it. Try this maybe: http://www.antijetlagdiet.com/
Sad thing is I can't sleep in on the Wednesday and Thursday because I have to work...I could pitch it to them as a cheap alternative to me being utterly zombified for the trip, though.
I swear by valium followed by speed. Works like a dream but as you say, might not be up your alley. Or indeed, the alley of the nice law enforcement people at the other end.
My drug of choice is le Tylenol PM. Pop a couple on the flight right before they feed you and you'll be a puddle of sleep until New York, where you'll be right as rain.
Jack - you aren't the first person to suggest that combination.
I think we're leaning towards Tylenol PM or Nyquil (Night Nurse) for a little unconsciousness assistance, followed by buckets of Berlin's strongest coffee.
But I'm happy to hear more ideas.
...and wow Jen, that sounds really interesting. I might try something like that.