Travel Needs, Woes, and how Good Airport Music helps beat Jet Lag
I’m sitting in Dublin Airport for a long layover after an easy, but nonetheless exhausting flight on Aer Lingus. I love Aer Lingus — have flown them so many times over the years, but today’s flight was different. It reminded me that sometimes the little things make a big difference.
Jetlag-busting Game Plan
Jetlag was never a problem for me until one time 2 years ago when I felt like I got hit by a truck. I was traveling for work and fortunately had no immediate responsibilities, but I spent the second day apologizing to people I supposedly had met the night before as I stumbled around a meet-n-greet in a giant foggy blur. Once it happens to you, you make sure that never happens again!
Of all of the methods I had read on beating jetlag, the one that seemed a good fit and a managable one is to avoid eating on the flight. As I have several transatlantic flights coming up, I thought I’d try it out. I treated myself to a nice early dinner in the airport before mylate flight and settled in…
As the saying goes: The best-laid plans of mice and men…
What’s Up with the Lights!
I know that some international flights are shorter than others, and that they keep the cabin lights on while serving the meals, but 3 hours into my 6 hour flight and it was still High Noon in my plane over the Atlantic! They finally dimmed the lights for about an hour & a half to what we can call a modest Summer twilight — in other words, still no need to turn on an overhead light to read. I have no idea what was up with the broad-daylight approach to our overnight flight, but clearly I need to add an eyemask to my travel accessories!
Can I Get a Glass of Wine Over Here?
Parallel to my travel fasting plan, I had also planned on that glass of wine you get on the overnight flights. I can’t think of a calmer way to relax into a long nap over the Atlantic. Despite being a bit drowsy as I boarded, I picked up my book long enough to wait for the beverage service… which was soda and water. I watched a few folks fork over cash for a few beers, but that was it. And I wasn’t in some bargain-basement economy, I was in a regular plane in regular class service.
I gave up, tucked into sleep, only to be tapped minutes later by a flight attendent asking if I had ordered a special meal — nope, wrong seat, but I noticed the meal came with a glass for wine. Alright, back to waiting…
No beverage service with dinner — only people who paid for fancy dinners got wine.
Oh well
Halfway There
On 2 fitful hours of well-illuminated sleep, I find myself now with a 6 hour layover in Dublin. This was planned so I could get some work done, but it was contingent on not being jetlagged…
In the end, I have no way of knowing if my beat-the-jetlag plan worked. More of it failed, I think, but I’m feeling fairly productive anyway, all things considered. Which brings me to my final point:
Great Music Fixes Everything
Dublin Airport is playing the most random collection of 80s, 90s, and current pop, both UK and US, and I have found myself bouncing along with the beat all morning. I’m cranking though the work I needed to do (and have even found time to write this!).
Perhaps I should take Richard Branson’s advice to heart (actually, shouldn’t one always take Richard Branson’s advice to heart?): Live in the moment & try not to worry about it.
So go ahead: listen to some good music; give your fellow travelers a good chuckle when they notice you’re dancing to the overhead music; start today off right no matter your timezone!
And, looking ahead to the next trip, I’m open to any suggestions on beating jetlag!
