Just thinking out loud really but interested in your views...
I work in the US a bit (probably one or two weeks a year for the last ten years) I normally try to adapt to US time. I always try to stay up 'til 10pm local time on the day I arrive, will go out in the evening etc and have never really had an issue - I wake up early when I'm there and am jetlagged for a few days when I get back.
Years ago I used to have a couple of colleagues with very different approaches. One (let's call him Joe) was of the view that "there's only one time zone and it's the one you're in". The other (let's call her Eva) would do everything she could to stay on UK time - so she'd wake up at her normal UK time, do stuff (read/run/work/shop (if the shops were open)) before the start of the working day, then would do a US working day, shun any evening invites and turn in at her UK bedtime.
I'm working out there again (East Coast) in a few weeks and there are likely to be few social obligations/opportunities after work. Are there any advantages in being more Eva than Joe?
How many hours sleep do you need ?
How late do you go out in the evening?
Bearing in mind Americans generally eat earlier than Europeans .
I live on East Coast time but regularly talk to my 2 boys on UK time before they go to school .
You could go to bed at 10pm , have 6 hrs sleep and still be up at 9am UK time .
Just got back from New York and I take the same approach as you, stay up late upon arrival, then sleep as normal and exercise in the morning. Do it two or three times a year. I move to the destination time zone as soon as I get on the plane, including changing my watch. I find a day flight helps as I'm not going to sleep properly on a plane anyway and actually avoiding plane food makes me less sleepy. I'd rather eat something decent in New York anyway!
I like 7 hours sleep. If I'm out out in the US, it can be quite late if there's the opportunity to see any live music.Originally Posted by MarkO
I always adapt to local times and eating/socialising habits no matter how short the trip.
Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH
I tend to got to India more than the US, usually 7.5hrs difference & the opposite direction but my routine goes;
Fly out early Saturday evening, watch one film/documentary & then get my head down as I move towards Indian time.
Flight change & limited sleep on flight means by the time I hit my hotel typically 2pm on Sunday, lounge by the pool & dinner before bed about 10pm local.
Work all week on Indian time, although they typically do a later office day 9-6.
Fly back Friday night, sleep as much as possible & back in Blightly for 10am, Once, I was in the Pub by 12 for a GTG.
Do NOT go to bed before 11pm Saturday night, done, back on UK time with very little Jet lag.
This. On the East Coast is easier, resist to go to sleep and try to go to dinner and to bed same as the locals. In the morning some physical activity and sun on your skin helps release melatonin and synchronise your sleep/wake rhythm.
My approach depends on what day of the week I am returning to the UK. If it’s a Saturday, I don’t want to waste my weekend getting over jet lag so will stay on UK time when I am in the US / Canada.
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Been back and forth to India for the last 18 months for work. 4.5 hour difference now and 5.5 in the winter.
No matter where i go i get into local time asap, and when returning look to hit Heathrow at 18:00 and on the 20:30 to Glasgow.
Home by 22:30, large whisky, shot at the wife and full nights sleep. back on UK time the next day.
I do stay in places longer than just a week though.
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