Issue #5 Sept 2015
MAGAZINE Your Practical Guide To Dealing With Jet Lag
Cabin Crew In Focus: Maria
ARE MEN DISCRIMINATED AGAINST IN THE CABIN CREW WORKPLACE?
Why Do Recruiters Prefer Skinny Candidates?
Is Working For The Major Middle Eastern Airlines As Good As It Gets?
30 DAYS OF YOGA 10 Passenger Types On Every Flight
Preparing For Your Telephone or Skype Interview
6 Health & Beauty Products Cabin Crew Can't Live Without 1 www.cabincrewexcellence.com
A MESSAGE FROM MONICA & SIMONA
It’s back to school time, which somehow gives us a refreshing feeling of a new start and new energy to soar higher towards becoming the best versions of ourselves - something we aim to empower all of you to achieve! In this edition we discuss jet lag and keeping the effects it has on our bodies as low as possible, we look at the men/women ration within the region’s cabin crew population, we bring you more health and beauty tips and products that must be in every cabin crew’s handbag and we get to meet another contagiously positive global jet-setter - Maria. We are grateful for being in your houses every month and, as always, hope you enjoy reading your exclusive cabin crew magazine as much as we love writing it.
Forever bringing you amazing content that will inform, educate and inspire you to be excellent in everything you do! The Cabin Crew Excellence E-Magazine is a fun and informative reflection of our incredible passion for the aviation industry. Within its pages, you will find everything you need to work hard, play harder, and be inspired to become a better version of yourself.
www.cabincrewexcellence.com | The World’s No#1 Magazine For Cabin Crew All Content Within This Publication & The Website www.cabincrewexcellence.com Is Copy Right Protected & Owned by Cabin Crew Excellence Copy Right - Disclaimer - Terms Of Use
OUR STORY
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Cabin Crew In Focus: Maria
6 Health & Beauty Products Cabin Crew Can't Live Without
Is Working For The Major Middle Eastern Airlines As Good As It Gets?
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Preparing For Your Telephone or Skype Interview
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10 Passenger Types On Every Flight
Are Men Discriminated Against In The Cabin Crew Workplace?
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30 Days Of Yoga
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Why Do Recruiters Prefer Skinny Candidates?
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Your Practical Guide To Dealing With Jet Lag
Cabin Crew In Focus: Maria
We met Maria few years ago when we had the privilege to work with her for the same VIP airline. From the beginning, her pleasant and caring personality won us over. Very fragile at first sight, Maria impresses everybody around her with very strong character traits. With very high levels of empathy, she will put everyone else’s needs before hers, a genuine quality that makes her one of the best VIP Cabin Crew in the field. Maria sat down with us and reminisced a bit about her flying career up until today. Why aviation? I’ve been fascinated with it since I was a kid and my father was taking me to acrobatic aviation shows. That’s what ignited my passion for airplanes and everything aviation. So it is safe to say that being a cabin crew was your dream job? Yes, absolutely. A dream that was difficult to fulfil in Spain because airlines are very strict with the candidates’ height. You need to be 165 cm and I am 160 cm so I had to accomplish my dream abroad. Do you still remember your first interview? I started flying in 2001 for BMI - British Midland and one year later I joined Japan Airlines. I remember both interviews, I was so nervous in both of them, but the atmosphere was very friendly; the recruiters were so warm they made me feel as if I wasn’t in an interview so that helped a lot. 6 www.cabincrewexcellence.com
What was it like working for JAL? It was the best 11 years of my life that far. The initial training is among the longest in the industry (around 3 months). They cover cross-cultural issues and the language barrier factor besides the general safety/ service topics. So, if you want to apply for JAL, prepare yourself for a LOT of learning. Did you find it difficult to adjust to the culture? Not really. I gradually discovered and really liked the Japanese culture but some people couldn’t cope with the pressure, change and all the different issues and many left very soon after joining. What was the inflight experience like with JAL? If you want a (now) funny story, one of the company rules doesn’t allow wearing any kind of perfume in flight. One day, I was trying different perfumes in duty free and only realised my mistake when it was too late. One month later, I was called to the office to explain why was I smelling so nice that day. It is common for the Japanese not to wear any perfumes but force of habit took over me that day. I was a bit scolded and told to follow the company rules not wearing any perfume at work because this affects the passenger’s perception of food. So you really have to understand their culture and respect it. On another occasion, I accidentally spilled an Orange Juice on a passenger. According to the Japanese culture and procedure, I had to present my apologies to the passenger for at least 6 times in the flight (all our flights were long ). The funny thing is that the passengers there are expecting this kind of treatment. A European passenger will feel annoyed to be disturbed so many times, a Japanese one will find it normal. During long flights crew cannot seat down, there is always some work to do. You won’t be appreciated if you sit down.
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For example, after completing the service and finishing all your tasks, if you don’t have anything to do, you need to find something to occupy your time with, like re-arranging compartments, preparing second service, checking the cabin, anything except sit down. What I’m trying to say is that Japanese crew have great consideration for their work and are incredibly disciplined. I owe everything I achieved so far to the training received in JAL. It taught me the Japanese language, attention to details and what it truly means to go the extra mile. Did you ever have a serious argument with one of your colleagues? No I didn’t. For them, replying with “No” means confrontation, so they try to avoid it and they reply with MAYBE, which sometimes leads to confusions.
What do you miss more from working in JAL? It’s always the people that you miss, more than the places, so I really miss my colleagues and friends although we do keep in touch. As a character trait, I miss their honesty. I also miss the food, sushi was (and still is) my favourite dish. What is your favourite destination in this big beautiful world? I personally think that NYC is the place where everybody should live once in a lifetime. You meet very different people, there is always something happening, you can enjoy a stroll around Hide Park or the skyline, the best place to understand what is a proper brunch, or to spend the whole day shopping. In NYC it doesn’t matter if you are broke or rich, you can always have a good time. Tell us a funny story you witnessed on board After my crew rest I walked the whole cabin of a B777 with my skirt zip down. I am sure some of the passengers noticed that but I was warned by another crew member too late I think :D 8 www.cabincrewexcellence.com
What motivated you to change from commercial to private aviation and how easy/difficult was it to make the transition? I was looking forward to a new challenge, after 11 years in the same company I was ready to step up, and the VIP world was the natural choice. Yes, it was a difficult step to take, getting out of your comfort zone is not pleasant, but we only discover ourselves when we do that. In your opinion, what are the main advantages VIP cabin crew enjoy that commercial cabin crew don’t? Salary, more time off and access to luxury products, services and destinations. What would you advise those that are pursuing a career as VIP cabin crew? They need to love it! It isn’t for people who aren’t flexible or can’t accept change easily. You need a natural mindset of ” EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE”…
If you have passion for aviation, if you are willing to give over 100%, if you are ready to face a new challenge every day, if you are an enthusiastic, dynamic and open minded person, if you feel motivation, then VIP is definitely for you. ;) 9 www.cabincrewexcellence.com
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6 Health & Beauty Products Cabin Crew Can't Live Without In an industry dominated by ladies, it is no wonder that health and beauty are a huge concern among cabin crew and the products’ names or brands that are most effective in keeping us wrinkle-free and radiant are shared because … sharing is indeed caring. Everybody is preoccupied with being fit and gorgeous in this day and age but cabin crew need to put in a little extra effort if you consider the challenges they are exposed to through their profession. Sleep disruptions, eating and sleeping at random hours during the day or night, spending most of the time in the dry-air aircraft cabin, jet lag and exposure to extreme temperatures (very cold or very hot) within short time frames all contribute to making our fitness and beauty regime that much more challenging. Without any further due, here are 10 of the healthy and beauty products cabin crew can’t live without:
1 Evian mineral water spray is a God-sent during longer flights, particularly when you are taking your well-earned inflight rest and the air in the crew rest compartment is so dry, your nostrils are sticking together.
2 Egyptian Magic - an all purpose skin cream made of exclusively natural ingredients, it was designed to treat different skin problems (scars, rashes, burns, etc.). When you use it and understand how incredibly healing and moisturising it is, you won’t want to use anything else to keep your skin hydrated. If you apply it abundantly, it keeps your skin nourished for many hours, even during long haul flights. Buy Evian Mineral Water Spray >>
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The Go Girl device we, ladies, have been waiting for and are so grateful to finally have. If you don’t want to get a bunch of germs making themselves at home on your lady parts, you need to have a Go Girl in your purse. Sure you can avoid going to the toilet
The Human Charger is a new-age device that promises to cut jet lag recovery time in half by sending UV-free, blue-enriched white light to your brain to help it stay in sync with the time zone you are in.
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inflight all together, but what are you gonna do during long haul flights? Between the discomfort of a full bladder, getting dehydrated only to avoid the loo and having a device to spare you all the hassle, the choice is a real no brainer. Buy Go Girl >>
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Buy The Human Charger >> www.cabincrewexcellence.com
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Argan Oil hair treatment is a must-have in our toiletry kit. The skin, nails and hair suffer the most from the dry air effects and argan oil is not only recommended by hair stylists but a product we’ve been using for years and absolutely swear by.
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6 Collagen supplements will keep your bones and joint cartilage healthy and strong. If you think of the high exposure to stress, physical demand on our bodies and the not-so-amazing dietary habits us, cabin crew, have, it is safe to say that prevention is always better than cure and the logic behind the presence of this supplement in our handbags is obvious.
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Always pay attention to your body and its needs and nourish it, inside and out, to be able to withstand the challenges of our profession. If you take care of it now, it will reward you later on and no price is too high when it comes to our health and beauty.
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Is Working For The Major Middle Eastern Airlines As Good As It Gets?
35 degree heat, sun, sea, sand and tax-free benefits, not to mention travelling the world for free - Is working for a Middle Eastern airline the best gig in the cabin crew business? Enthusiasts of the skies from around the world (USA, Asia, Australia, Europe, etc.) are taking to the road in their pursuit of a cabin crew job for one of the major airlines operating in the Middle East. The demand for cabin crew is higher than it’s ever been and the big three (Etihad, Emirates and Qatar Airways) are soon coming to a town near you and they show no sign of slowing down. No matter how much you research the living and working conditions in the Middle East, the information online seems to be so conflicting and you end up not knowing whether to uproot your life and go after your dream of flight or stick to something less dynamic in your home country. When you are considering moving to the Middle East to work as a cabin crew, you need to learn and understand the cultural differences and the rigmarole of living abroad as an expatriate. Depending on where you are from, it may be a little bit of a culture shock in regards to religion, every-day-life customs, personal relationships and civil laws.
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However the region’s lifestyle is not as strict as others might suggest. Some countries (like Saudi Arabia or Kuwait) are more conservative and take a bit more adaptability on a foreigner’s side, but fortunately the most popular airlines and their cabin crew reside in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha, each of these cities being much less restrictive and more open towards the western culture. Ok, you might not be allowed to kiss in public and very revealing clothing tends to be frowned upon (especially if you go out to places frequented by local families with children), but if you are into nightlife and countless extracurricular activities (like swimming with dolphins, getting to the top of the tallest building in the world, skydiving, hot air balloon rides, water theme parks, desert safaris, beach water sports, etc.), you won’t even notice that you are in a non-European country. Plus the region is known for its glamorous shopping malls and being the playground of over-the-top spenders. You’re most likely to see Ferraris, Porsches, Bentleys and BMWs whizzing around on a daily basis, let alone the luxurious yachts floating on the downtown Marina of either city. When it comes to promotions, the career progression is only a matter of a few years while anywhere else in the world would take at least a decade to progress and upgrade your pay scale and lifestyle. In the Middle East, you could become a Business or First Class cabin crew within the first 3 years of your employment and could get your Purser promotion 2 or 3 more years later. When you are ready for a more challenging role, the region is also home to the highest number of private jet owners in the world so the career progression options are as wide as you make them. Sounds fantastic, right? Indeed it is, but try not to get carried away by it all! You have to remember that you are there to work. Travelling the world for free, enjoying tax-free benefits and a worry-free life are all amazing perks of the job besides living in a very glamorous and wealthy region. Putting passion into your profession and respecting the culture and traditions of everybody you come in contact with is key to making the most of your time there without any hassle or grief. Emirates(Dubai), Etihad(Abu Dhabi), FlyDubai(Dubai) & Qatar Airways(Doha) are the leading favourites among westerners looking to relocate to the region as cabin crew, however the competition is fierce and recruiters are spoilt for choice. Only the best candidates that show up well prepared tend to land the job. The question is how much do you want it?
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Preparing For Your Telephone or Skype Interview
The cabin crew recruitment process, whether applying for a commercial or private airline, is very complex and thorough advance preparation is essential when you are trying to impress the recruiters and get them to see in you a valuable asset for their team. The process is not only complex but also very costly and more and more airlines are looking to cut costs while maintaining an efficient interview system that will bring them the most suitable candidates. Most private airlines and some of the commercial ones, particularly those based in the Middle East (like FlyDubai, Oman Air, etc.) choose to pre-screen their candidates through online media, often involving a Skype or telephone interview and it is important to understand how to prepare for it to avoid disappointing the recruiters. If you are looking forward to a Skype or telephone interview (whether it is live or pre-recorded), here are a few points to consider during your pre-interview preparation.
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Personal Presentation Your presentation is as important as it is during a face to face interview and grooming still needs to be impeccable. So dress up and make up the same way you would for a normal interview to avoid any possible surprises.
Many recruiters will ask you to stand up (during video interviews) just to check if you’ve been serious about this interview or if your upper body is portraying the perfect candidate while your lower body is still rocking your pyjama shorts and your favourite moo cow fluffy slippers.
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Don’t be afraid to take notes Keep a pen and pad close-by and discreetly take notes whenever you get any information (details about the job offer, employment conditions, etc.) that you would like to go over at a later stage, once the interview is finished. You will otherwise be quite nervous and could forget important aspects communicated to you by the recruiter. Smile Make sure you have a generous smile on your face! Whether the recruiter can see you or not, he will feel it in your attitude nonetheless. Remember that although you aren't seeing the recruiter in person, the telephone or Skype interview is just as important and it will decide whether your application is moving forward or it will be discarded at the end of this interview. 16 www.cabincrewexcellence.com
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Your internet/line connection Going through an interview that cuts off repeatedly due to poor internet connection or low telecom signal can quickly become very frustrating (for both yourself and the recruiter). Sure it is a two way communication and you can’t really prevent every possible technical issues, but you gotta be responsible for your end of the line.
Make sure the phone number you provide for the interview is a mobile that’s easily reachable and you are in a good signal place at the time of the interview. The same goes for your internet connection. Your camera and microphone need to be functional so you can comply with the recruiters’ request without any problem. If you don't have a camera on your laptop, borrow or purchase one and definitely run a microphone/camera test before the big day!
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Make sure your environment is conducive to a peaceful, professional discussion You’re dressed to impress and have a reliable internet/mobile connection, you are just waiting for the recruiter to get in touch at the established hour. Take a minute to look around you and observe what would the recruiter see in the background.
Do you have proper lighting so you are easily visible or he/she will have to squint and tilt his head to the left to kind of figure out which way you are facing? Is the room you will be interviewing in neat and tidy or will he see your laundry basket, messy bed and yesterday’s dinner left overs in the background? Also take into consideration possible noise factors that could come up. It is a good idea to let everybody in the house know you are about to go through an interview so they can help you keep the noise at an absolute minimum. 17 www.cabincrewexcellence.com
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10 Passenger Types On Every Flight
If you have been flying for a while, you know that the list below is as accurate as it gets (although nowhere close to including all the typologies you can possibly meet throughout your career). đ&#x;˜‰ You might not find them all in one flight, but somewhere throughout your global jet jet-setting setting you will have met every single one of them at least once or twice. If you are just starting your flying career, here’s your first briefing on the most common passenger profiles:
The Slow Mo is the passenger that walks into the cabin like he owns the airplane and takes his own sweet time putting his bag in the overhead bin while blocking the aisle, completely oblivious to the fact that he is keeping everybody behind and slowing down the entire barding process. Your few minute delay on closing the door for departure is on this one! The Virus Sharer - if you’ve sat on the cabin jump seat and haven't been sneezed, coughed or vomited on you are either very new in the job or incredibly lucky, in which case we strongly encourage you to play the lottery. The Drinker - you see more and more of this one all over the aviation news. Their usual airplane travel pattern is: get to the airport early, get hammered on duty-free alcohol, get on board, punch cabin crew in the face and get taken off the airplane by police escorts. If you’re presented with one of these, keep outside of their arm reach to make sure your beautiful face is safe. The Child - this type comes in all ages so although some appear older than their behaviour indicates, you gotta remember to treat them like kids. 21 www.cabincrewexcellence.com
The Recliner - this one is quite common and if you’ve done at least one long haul night flight, you surely met him already. The amount of fights we’ve seen ignite because of a seat reclined too far, too soon or too sudden could make the subject of another double page article. The Whiner will always find something to pick on: the seat is too narrow, the baby in front is crying, food is too salty, service is too slow or the toilet is too far. Whatever you do or say, you can’t win with this one. Go ahead and be your usual wonderful, professional self, just don't hold your breath for any sign of gratitude. The Oversized Passenger - Ok this one is most often the nicest of them all, the only challenge comes when you have to explain why they can’t be seated at the emergency exit (where, ironically, there is more room) and you need to change their seat. The Nostril Offender - some flights (we’re not gonna name names) are full of this type. When you walk with the crew through the airport before your departure and you can feel your passengers’ body odours from many gates away, you know you’re in for a stinky day/night. The Talker - Yep, he needs no introduction. When you meet him, you’ll know. The Friendly - he’s a highly endangered species so you won’t see him that often, but when you do you’re granted an amazing flight.
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ARE MEN DISCRIMINATED AGAINST IN THE CABIN CREW WORKPLACE?
It is argued that being cabin crew is one of the hardest professions in the world to break into. Being offered a job as cabin crew for one of the highly sought-after Middle Eastern airlines is harder than getting into Harvard, with the applicant failure rate being 95% on average.
But does the acceptance rate differ or is it equal for both men and women? The cabin crew profession is a job that both sexes can do adequately well, however if you jump on an aircraft in this day-and-age it’s clear to see that the majority of the crew are predominately female. In a world filled with tension when it comes to prejudice (wether it is racism, agism or religion), the population of the world is thankfully growing, evolving and taking action to even-out the playing field respectively, trying to treat all people as equals however there is a strong argument that this is not the case for cabin crew. With the profession being one of the most desired jobs in the world due to the good pay, travel perks and prestige of the job, there are many more men who would love to take to the sky but do not get the opportunity to do so. Rumours have it that the cabin crew industry is split 75% women and 25% men so there are significantly less males in the commercial cabin crew workplace. 24 www.cabincrewexcellence.com
Even within the private aviation industry where many private jet owners, (who are predominantly male) have the right to choose their cabin crew, many are very selective and often choose females to serve them onboard. Is it indirectly sexist, to objectify women and have them serve the owners at their leisure or is it the fact that there are more and higher qualified female cabin crew floating around the private aviation market? Women have been oppressed by the western world’s socio-economic system for many years and inequality between the genders has favoured men on the whole, especially since we live in a patriarchal society. All deities are presented as males and even heads of state and government are predominately men. Some could argue that the female dominance within the cabin crew industry is just levelling the playing field for the sexism that men have been portraying for years,
but does that make it right? There is unfortunately very little research done towards the gender inequalities in the aviation industry and there are very few statistics that deliver hard facts. Maybe it’s a happy middle ground where the job is now a privilege rather than a serving chore? Since women were there first, maybe it should not be taken away from them because it’s suddenly seen as desirable and in high demand. Either way the debate goes on and we will need hard facts before anything conclusive can be drawn. What’s your take on this perspective? Do you think men should be given a fair chance at the profession or do you prefer to see ladies on board the aircraft?
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30 DAYS OF YOGA Join Adriene on Day 1 of The 30 Days of Yoga journey! Ease into your 30 day experience with an open mind, kindness and curiosity. Use this DAY 1 practice to take stock, check in with the body and mind. Begin the practice of slowing down, noticing, stretching and moving with ease. Commit to 30 days of breathing deep and listening. Acknowledge the distractions, the frustrations, the parts of the body that need more love or are in healing. Acknowledge it all! For this journey is about more than just a flexible, strong and toned body. It is about full mind, heart and body wellness. Begin here to set the foundation for a connected home practice. FREE and in the comfort of your own home or hotel room! Get empowered, find what feels good, listen to your body and let’s have some fun!
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Why Do Recruiters Prefer Skinny Candidates? The major airlines of the world, particularly those based in the Middle East, pay special attention to their image and allocate massive budgets to maintaining it as glamorous as possible. With the cabin crew being global ambassadors of their airline, irrespective where it is based, it is no secret that each candidate’s posture, grooming and ability to carry themselves with utmost elegance is one of the important aspects recruiters focus on during every cabin crew interview. We often hear candidates say “I'm not pretty/good lookingenough, not tall enough” and, most importantly, “not skinny enough” and they are convinced that this is what renders them eliminated from the competition. But how much truth does that hold and why do recruiters seem to prefer the more slender candidates? First, it is important to understand that you don't have to be a catwalk model to become a cabin crew. Recruiters don't necessarily look for beautiful candidates but rather for the whole package: impeccable presentation (personal grooming, the way you carry yourself, etc.), good communication and interpersonal skills, the right character traits to suit the role AND good physical shape with your weight in proportion to your height. *Find out here if your weight is in proportion to your height > Cabin crew have a demanding job, with long duty hours (sometimes being in their uniform for as long as 18 hours at a time) and responsibilities (like opening heavy aircraft doors, lifting/pulling/pushing carts and containers, etc.) that require strength, agility and a great stamina to be able to withstand the overall physical and mental strength. When you are over or underweight, your physical fitness is also affected and recruiters can easily think that you wont be able to perform the job with 100% efficiency over a longer period of time. Being a few kilograms under your ideal weight is always better (from the airline’s perspective) than being overweight.
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When you add to that the fact that most cabin crew tend to gain weight in the first months after starting to fly (due to eating at very irregular hours, consuming aircraft food with very high fat content, etc.), it is easy to understand why recruiters prefer to play safe and go for the more slender candidates. There are many hurdles to pass during your cabin crew interview and the weight/height is just one of many. In your pre-interview phase, you need to prepare thoroughly to make sure you jump all of them and stand at the finish line with those who end up receiving a golden call. If you find that your weight is not in proportion to your height, make time for regular workouts and review your eating habits to make sure you look and feel impeccable during your interview day. Establish an objective and have very thorough expectations from yourself, this isn't just about beauty, it is about your health and overall wellbeing and it will enhance your life style more than you know. There’s no quick fix when it comes to this one and it requires a lot of effort and commitment on your side, but so does the cabin crew job. If you don't feel fantastic in your skin every single day and aren't comfortable wearing any type of clothes, make it your purpose to become the best, fittest version of yourself. Start today and keep going until you reach your best physical shape ever because the reward at the end of your efforts will be all worth it, we promise!
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Your Practical Guide To Dealing With We often hear fellow crew members say that jet lag is just a state of mind. Science however demonstrated that jet lag is actually a temporary disorder with a variety of symptoms like fatigue, insomnia episodes, upset stomach and drowsiness, to mention just a few. To better understand jet lag, think about the earth as a giant orange with 24 wedges. Each wedge is a North to South strip and represents a time zone. If you fly across 2 or more time zones, you'll most probably experience some or all jet lag symptoms. The main cause of this is the body's inability to adjust immediately to the new time zone. This is due to a disruption of our internal body clock or "circadian rhythm", which is influenced by exposure to sunlight and darkness. There are some risk factors to consider when discussing jet lag: The direction in which you fly A North to South or South to North trip does not result in jet lag. You would feel very tired but that is because of the travelling itself. Jet lag signs and symptoms are minimal to none since you are in the same time zone. Flying East is when we get most jet lagged because it is like travelling into the future,
so our body clock loses time. It is difficult to adjust to the new time zone and it may sometimes take up to a week. Flying West also makes us experience jet lag, however the symptoms are a little lighter. Our internal body clock gains time and tends to recover faster. Age is linked with the severity of jet lag symptoms. Studies show that infants and children are less affected and they recover much faster, while the elderly find it extremely challenging to adjust.
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Our occupation also plays a great role. Pilots, cabin crew and frequent flyers, although they might think they become immune to jet lag, they actually suffer from the biggest disruptions of circadian rhythm. Some illnesses and pre-existing conditions, as well as sleep deprivation, stress and the consumption of stimulants (alcohol, coffee, energy drinks, chocolate) increase the jet lag effects.
Here is a list of the most common symptoms associated with jet lag: fatigue, disorientation, feeling very sleepy during the day and wide awake at night, anxiety, nausea, constipation, diarrhoea, upset stomach, dizziness, sweating, apathy, coordination problems. On top of these, there are also some more symptoms related to air travel: swollen legs, stuffy nose, headache and dehydration.
Top 3 Mistakes To Avoid 1. Sleeping the whole flight, no matter how long it is 2. Taking a lot of naps when reaching the destination 3. Taking sleeping pills Of all 3, the last is the biggest No No because sleeping pills put you in a state of comatose which is not at all the equivalent of a good sleep. They leave you very dehydrated, they interfere with the body's melatonin secretion and body clock and they even increase the risk of DVT (deep vein thrombosis). Melatonin is a hormone secreted by our body at the time it becomes dark or it is dark outside and makes us sleepy. This hormone production is linked with our circadian rhythm which is, in its turn, influenced by sunlight exposure. Many people take artificial melatonin, which is an over the counter supplement and they claim it helps them fall asleep faster and sleep well. Although scientists have conducted a lot of studies, they weren't able to demonstrate the artificial melatonin effects so far. A great focus was put recently on the research of the bright light therapy or phototherapy. In order to reduce jet lag symptoms significantly, the subject in question is exposed to a special artificial light in order to adjust his/her circadian rhythm. This procedure is conducted by using a device called "light box" and one session of 30 minutes is considered to be safe for most people.
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Great Tips To Minimise Jet Lag & Recover Fast 1. Before the flight, eat light for a couple of days and drink lots of water. Staying hydrated is essential. Get well rested before your trip. Having a "sleep debt" will only make it worse. Keep in good shape by doing regular exercise and stretching. If possible, plan your trip so that you arrive at the destination in the evening, just in time for bedtime. If you arrive in the morning, try hard to stay awake for as long as you can, preferably close to the local bedtime. For business people (or crew) who are travelling just for a few days, it's best not to adjust altogether. If their schedule allows it that is‌ If you are a pilot or a cabin crew, there is no way to choose departure and arrival times, so keep in mind all the other tips and adjust your routine according to your overall roster.
2. During the flight. As soon as you board the aircraft, set your watch to destination time and don't calculate the home time anymore. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes or try some compression socks. Don't forget your earplugs, sleep mask, neck pillow, blanket and water bottle. If possible, choose a seat with extra leg room and away from the heavy traffic zones like the lavatories and galleys and make sure your seat reclines! Also, move around the cabin or do some light exercise in your seat to improve blood circulation. Many airlines have brochures in the seat pocket with great advice on how to make your flight more comfortable. You can read and learn even about light yoga practices like stretching, relaxation techniques and alternate nostril breathing.
3. At your destination, stay local as soon as you land. Go outside in the sunlight during the day hours and do your best to keep busy. Eat light meals since a full stomach will make you sleepy instantly. Avoid alcohol; you can instead have that extra cup of coffee now to give you an energy boost. Avoid napping altogether, you won't be able to wake up if you try. 4. At the hotel. It is very important, especially for the first couple of nights, to divert all calls. Tell the receptionist to block all calls (except for the wakeup call) to your room and take your messages. Ask for a quiet room and put the DND sign on the door. Cool your room down and set the AC to maintain it like that. Silence all electronic gadgets and alarms. Shut the blinds and put on your favourite PJ's. And while settling down between the pillows, focus for just one second before falling asleep on where you are. This way you won't panic in the morning thinking you must have been kidnapped, because you don't know where you are, a very common occurrence among cabin crew! Battery charging... finally! Written by MOIRA TOMESCU A passionate cabin crew with a lot of hobbies and a curious mind.
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