Jet-Lag Remedies

Jet-lag remedies may be required to combat the feeling of disorientation that can occur when travelling quickly and landing in a country several time zones away from home. It is usually worse when flying in a easterly direction.

Most hunters haven't got the time to spend slowly adjusting their 'body clocks' - they need to hit the African ground running, so here are a few tips on dealing with the effects of jet-lag . Hunters from Europe are usually unaffected, travelling south but hunters from the US and the rest of the world might struggle with jet-lag.

Jet-Lag Symptoms

These may include all the things you don't need on an African hunt....

Disturbed sleep - waking at odd hours when sleeping and fatigue when awake.
Headaches.
Irritability and bad moods.
Inability to focus.

Simple Jet-Lag Remedies

Trying to adjust to the new time zone before departure, by sleeping and waking later/earlier.
Also try to adjust your eating patterns before departure according to the time zone difference.
When you arrive avoid taking naps when you feel tired - get out hunting in the fresh air and sun. Try to stick to the new hours.
If you usually suffer quite badly, arriving a couple of days early before the hunt starts, may be a good idea.
Sleeping as much as possible on your international flight is said to help. If you find this difficult, there are some over-the-counter remedies that may help.
Minimising your alcohol and caffeine intake also helps combat jet-lag.

Jet-Lag Pills

Other jet-lag remedies include taking Melatonin pills...

Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland in the brain that seems to regulate sleep.
Synthetic Melatonin supplement pills can be purchased at health food stores. 'Natural' melatonin supplements are made from the pineal gland of animals and are not recommended.
Short term studies seem to point to Melatonin being useful as a jet-lag remedy but there have been no studies on long term effects or interactions with other medications. Melatonin products are not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
If you haven't taken it before, it might be an idea ask your doctor about it and to try it out before travelling, in case you have an adverse reaction.

Long-Haul Flight Survival Measures

Flying these days, has become a mentally, emotionally and physically draining activity for most people. Flying longhaul is just prolonged misery especially if you are in steerage, so try the following measures to increase in-flight comfort.

Pre-booking the best seat you can get. Discounting the cabins up front, this would be an aisle seat and better still, a bulkhead aisle seat. However, bulkhead seats which have more leg room, seem to be mysteriously blocked off when you come to pre-book a seat, no matter how early you make your reservation.
Using your own headphones rather than airline issue - avoids squashed, sore ears and will give better sound quality.
Pre-hydrating before boarding because chances are the drinks service won't start until about an hour into the flight.
Bringing a variety of things to keep yourself amused if you don't plan on sleeping much or watching the movie.
Bringing your own small snacks.
Going for walks around the cabin when you get the chance.
Start writing your hunt journal/report.