A new survey by Skyscanner has revealed the various techniques adopted by Australian travellers in the bid to combat jetlag. 94% of those surveyed said they had taken a long haul flight in the last year and on average it took them 2.3 days to recover from jetlag.

51% said that stretching and exercising on the plane had helped them deal with jetlag at their destination. The second most effective technique was ensuring that they ate a light diet of healthy fresh food (34%), and third was setting their watch to the destination time and sleeping according to that time zone (26%).

Tony Gherardin, national medical adviser at the Travel Doctor – TMC (traveldoctor.com.au) said that eating well and staying hydrated – and avoiding alcohol – worked “reasonably well” to counter the effects of jetlag.

“In an ideal world, to prevent jetlag we should begin taking on the habits of destination time zone before we leave home. That is, eating at the same time and sleeping or resting at the same time as what you would be doing at that destination. Of course this isn’t always possible at home or even while flying.”

Only 16% of travellers had tried using sleeping tablets and found that it helped. Gherardin said “safe use of sleeping tablets or melatonin once you’ve reached your destination can also assist in getting your body in sync with the time zone.”

Personally, TM believes in the restorative power of a few glasses of wine, but that may not work for everyone!

Most               Which alleged ‘cures’ for               Yes, I        I believe it worked       
popular           jetlag have you ever tried?             tried it      as a cure for jetlag 
                             
                                 
1         Stretch/light exercise on
           flight                                                                78%         51%

2         Light and healthy diet                                      57%         34%

3         Set watch to new time
           zone                                                                48%         27%

4         Stay awake all flight                                        43%         16%

5         Exercise and fresh air on
           the day of travel                                               37%         22%

6         Drinking alcohol                                              37%         11%

7         Sleeping tablets                                              27%         17%

8         Avoiding alcohol                                              21%         10%

9         Taking herbal remedy                                       8%         4%

10         Taking melatonin                                             6%         3%

11         Taking anti-jetlag pills                                      6%         2%

12         Taking Viagra                                                  3%         1%