商務禮節美語第228期:Jet Lag 倒時差(下)

Mike出差剛回來，被時差折磨得痛苦不堪，向同事Larry諮詢緩解時差的好辦法。Larry說，

Larry: Some people take herbal medicine, but there's really no solid proof that it works. Some people take sleeping pills and try to sleep for the whole flight.

M: I guess each person has to try and find the solution that works best for them.

L: Yeah, everyone is different. But I believe there are a few things that can definitely make jet lag a little easier to deal with.

M: Oh, yeah? Like what?

L: For one don't drink alcohol on flights. It dehydrates you and only makes jet lag worse.

M: Oh, I usually have a few drinks when I fly. Maybe I'll stick to water next time.

Larry說，爲了緩解時差，有人吃中藥，有人吃安眠藥，上飛機就睡，這些做法因人而異。不過，也有一些普遍適用的原則，其中之一就是不能喝酒，因爲酒精會讓人dehydrate，脫水，從而加劇時差症狀，最好是stick to water，只喝白水。

L: Water is best because you really need to stay hydrated, especially when you're breathing the dry air in an airplane.

Also, you should try to get on the local schedule as soon as you land.

M: So even if back home it's 3:00 in the morning, I should follow the local time and not go to bed?

L: That would be best. If you get there and it's dinner time, go to adapt as quickly as possible and sometimes you'll adjust quicker. If you get super tired in the afternoon, take a catnap, but don't sleep for hours.

M: I guess that makes sense.

Larry還建議，到達目的地後，最後立即適應當地的作息時間，get on the local schedule，如果實在太困，可以 take a catnap，小睡一會兒，catnap is spelled c-a-t-n-a-p, 但是不要矇頭大睡。

L: Your body will slowly accept a new sleep-wake cycle.

M: But the cycle is based on light from the sun, right? Then maybe I should take a walk in the morning and try to re-set my brain to the new time for light.

L: Actually, that's probably a great idea. And the exercise can't hurt either.

M: I think I'll try some of these ideas next time and see which ones work for me. Thanks for your input, Larry.

L: Sure! And have a nice rest tonight.

既然人體的生物鐘受到日光照射的影響，那早上出去走走，一定有幫助，讓日光重新設定身體的節律。Larry 表示贊成，因爲出去走走，運動一下也一定沒壞處，the exercise can't hurt either.