Jet Lag – Tips on how to avoid Jet Lag when Flying to and from the UK

What is Jet Lag?

 

Jet lag is the tiredness and lethargy experienced following a long haul flight, when the body’s natural rhythm or sleeping pattern is thrown out by crossing different time zones. Anyone can get jet lag, but it is more common, and the symptoms are more profound, in the over 60’s.

There are 24 different time zones in the world and when you cross these it can disrupt your body clock. For example, if you were flying from London to Bangkok, Bangkok is seven hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). If the flight left London at 9am, and the flight time was roughly 11 hours, the arrival time would be 8pm UK time, but 3am Bangkok time. You can see that thinking it is the evening when it is actually the morning will certainly throw out your body’s natural rhythm!

Jet lag cannot be completely avoided, but the symptoms can be reduced, and there are things that you can do to help your body clock adjust as soon as possible.

Avoid jet lag when flying

Image by Kossy@FINEDAYS on Flickr (Creative Commons)

Preparing for Jet Lag – Before the Flight

It is a good idea to research the time differences from the UK, and start to change your sleep routine a few days before your flight departure.  www.jetlagprevention.com gives you a personal plan to help you to prepare for the journey and reduce the effects of jet lag.  You simply enter your flight times and destinations. It will then provide you with a plan of what to eat, when to eat and when to go to bed, so that you can be fully prepared for that all important long haul journey.

Do go to bed early and get plenty of sleep before your flight. You may also want to consider an online check-in, which is offered by most airlines these days. This will make check in quick and easy, reducing stress before the flight.

Reducing the effects of Jet Lag – During the flight

When you board the plane, or even before boarding, it is a good idea to adjust your watch to the time of your destination. It is easy to become dehydrated during a long haul flight, so drink lots of water.  Avoid alcohol and caffine if possible, as they can contribute to the effects of jet lag.  Ear plugs and an eye mask might help you to get more sleep during a flight – sleep as much as you can whilst on the plane. But do remember to take a walk around the cabin from time to time, and stretch your arms and legs whilst seated, to avoid Deep Vain Thrombosis (DVT).

Reducing the Effects of Jet Lag – When you Arrive at your Destination

When you arrive at your destination and experience jet lag, try to avoid napping as soon as you get there. Establish a new routine as soon as possible. It is a good idea to spend time outdoors, as the natural light will help your body to adjust.

Wherever you are travelling in the world, have a fantastic trip. Remember, you can always keep in touch with your friends abroad through PocketDial UK.

Chinese New Year in the UK – How and when is it Celebrated?

When is Chinese New Year?

This year China is set to celebrate New Year on Sunday February 10th. The date of Chinese New Year varies every year as the Chinese calendar is based on the lunar and solar calendars. However, Chinese New Year usually falls from late January to mid February. The celebrations begin on the first day of the lunar month and continue for 15 days. The Chinese New Year celebrations signify the start of new life and the beginning of spring farming begins.

 

Traditional Chinese New Year Celebrations

Before the Chinese New Year begins, families spring clean their homes to sweep away the bad luck, ready for a new start. Homes are then decorated and visits are made to family and friends. The first week of Chinese New Year celebrations is all about family and friends, visiting and wishing them good luck for the New Year. They wish each other “Kung Hei Fat Choi”, which means Happy New Year in Chinese. On New Years Eve everyone gathers with families and has a wonderful meal – what is eaten is dependent on the region of China. Fireworks are set off and everyone wears red.

On New Year’s day children are given red envelopes filled with money and sweets from their families.  New year ends with the Lantern festival. The lanterns are hand decorated and are hung from windows and large paper and bamboo dragons are made which young men dance with and collect money.

 

The Legend behind Chinese New Year

According to legend, New Year began in China with a fight against a mythical beast, named Nian. It is thought that Nian would arrive in villages on the first day of the New Year to feast on animals, crop and even villagers – to protect their livelihood villagers would put out food for Nian. The story continues, with a young child scaring Nian away as he was scared on the colour red and other villagers chasing him away with firecrackers. From this story, came many of the Chinese New Year traditions; red scrolls are hung on windows, fireworks and lanterns are a major part of celebrations and food is a major part of the festivities.

 

British Chinese Community

Chinese New Year celebrations in London are the largest celebration outside of Asia. Celebrations take place in the West End and Trafalgar Square – with a parade, entertainment and performances from the local community.

 

Chinese Zodiac signs

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Chinese New Year 2013: Year of the Snake

Each New Year in China brings a new zodiac sign known as Sheng Xiao in Chinese – this year will be the year of the snake. There are twelve animal zodiacs, which run on a cycle. Each year corresponds to a different animal based around the lunar calendar. The signs are as follows; rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. Those born in the year of the snake are said to be good tempered and financial secure, yet often jealous and suspicious.

To find out your sign and what that means have a look here.

How are you celebrating Chinese New Year?

Don’t forget, you can phone China for just 1p a minute.

Super Bowl 2013! Kick off times and the Half Time Show

With the Super Bowl just days away, we thought we would give you a rundown of what to expect from Sunday’s spectacular. From the game itself to the half time show – Super Bowl Sunday provides a great evening of entertainment for young and old. Whether you are a fan or have never seen a game of American football in your life – you’re sure to be entertained.

Who’s playing at the Super Bowl 2013?

After weeks of play offs, it all came down to Championship games on Sunday 20th January to find out who would make it to the Super Bowl final to decide the 2013 NFL champions. San Francisco 49ers beat the Atlanta Falcons 28-24, booking themselves a place in the 47th Super Bowl final along with Baltimore Ravens, who beat the New England Patriots 28-13.

Kick off times for Super Bowl 2013?

The big game will be held on Sunday 3rd February in New Orleans, Louisiana at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. TV coverage will start at 6.00pm US time (23.00 UK time), with kick off at 6.30pm.

Super Bowl 2013 Half-Time Show!

The Super Bowl is famed for its half time show – every year spectators await the announcement as to who has been picked to entertain the crowds in what is given to be a spectacular. The budget is sure to be enormous and the producers are always the best in business. Acts such as Prince, The Rolling stones, Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson have graced the Super Bowl stage in the past, and the support acts are just as fantastic. Last year Cee Lo Green and Nicki Minaj joined Madonna and in 2011 Slash and Usher supported The Black Eyed Peas.

2013 is set to be the biggest show yet. On 16th October this image was all over the internet before gracing the advertisement boards in Times Square:

Beyonce confirmed for Super Bowl 2013. Source: Huffington Post

Given that just a few weeks ago Beyoncé announced that Destiny’s child have reformed and will be releasing their new album on 4th Feb – I think we might be able to guess who will be joining her on stage.

 Interesting Super Bowl 2013 Facts

The 47th Super Bowl final will be the first ever final when two brothers will be head to head. Head coaches for both teams, John Harbaugh for the Baltimore Ravens and Jim Harbaugh for the San Francisco 49ers will face each other on Sunday 3rd for Super Bowl 2013. The last time the brothers played one another was in the 2011 Thanksgiving match, when we saw the Ravens beat the 49’s 16-6.

Super Bowl 2013 will be the 10th time that New Orleans have hosted the event – a record which is only matched my Miami. This will also be the first time they have hosted since Hurricane Katrina destroyed the city in 2005.

Reports suggest that Hurricane Katrina caused over $1 billion of damage to New Orleans, yet it is thought that the Super Bowl will generate over $432 million on Feb 3rd alone and the publicity for the city will be priceless.

Super Bowl 2013 Commercials

TV advertising during the Super Bowl is the most lucrative in the business. It is estimated that adverts during the game reach up to 90 million people, making the price tag for a Super Bowl advert in the millions.

Companies also invest millions in the adverts themselves, so viewers can expect adverts as breath taking as the show itself.

Companies lay out big bucks for celebrities to appear in their commercials. Last year we saw Matthew Broderick parody his role in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off for Honda. This year, expect to see Kate Upton making an appearance for Mercedes Benz.

Super Bowl 2013 is set to be truly incredible, so sit back and enjoy the show.

 

Did you know that you can call the US for just 1p a minute?