Another Time, Another Place

Right now, in Bangkok, Thailand, it is .....



Residents of the Permian Basin are no strangers to living and working in different time zones. There are many who travel on a weekly - or even daily - basis back-and-forth between West Texas and Southeast New Mexico ..... and their respective time zones.

But this will be something different. The time zone where the Thai Mission Team will live and work for two weeks, is thirteen hours ahead of what we - and our bodies - are accustomed to here, in West Texas. So, how do you adjust? One of our team members offers the following suggestions:
● Start shifting your sleep-wake cycle to match that of your destination several days before departure, changing at the rate of one hour per day.
● Begin adjusting to the time zone of your destination by resetting your watch at the beginning of your flight.
● Sleep on the plane when it is nighttime at your destination. Earplugs, headphones and eye masks can help diminish noise and light.
● Stay awake on the plane when it is daytime at your destination. Read a book with the light on and the window shade open, or cruise the aisles.
● Drink plenty of water. The air on planes is extremely dry, and dehydration can worsen the effects of jet lag.
● Avoid alcohol and caffeine while flying. They increase dehydration.
● Exercise as much as you can on the flight during waking hours: stretch, walk down the aisles and do leg lifts
● Drink plenty of fluids. Eat high-protein meals if you want energy to stay awake, and eat meals high in carbohydrates if you want to relax and sleep.