Tip of the day: Don't let jet lag ruin your trip

Anyone traveling across more than one time zone for the holidays can suffer from jet lag, but it's often worst when you fly east. Symptoms are temporary and might include sleepiness or difficulty sleeping, trouble completing tasks, headache, and upset stomach. To prevent jet lag, drink plenty of liquids and avoid large meals. On super-long trips, try for a stopover.

Already jet lagged? An animal study released in May by the Harvard Medical School suggests that long-distance travelers may be able to reset their body clocks by fasting for 12 to 16 hours, then eating at their destination's breakfast time. Some evidence suggests that taking the supplement melatonin at bedtime might also help to treat jet lag. If you're going eastward, seek bright light in the morning; westward, in the afternoon. Spend time outdoors and consider short naps.

Read more on planning ahead to prevent jag lag, and see our Treatment Ratings (subscribers only) to find out what treatments work.