Tips to Avoid Jet Lag

Good morning! I woke up a few hours ago, my first morning in Västerås, feeling awake and refreshed after a good nights sleep. Safe to say I am already on a Swedish sleeping schedule, as I was able to go to bed by 11 PM and wake up by 9 AM (bed at 4 PM Minnesota time, woke up at 2 AM Minnesota time). As I've had experience dealing with jet lag before, I knew how to avoid it- here are tips for you to also avoid jet lag while traveling across time zones!

1. Before traveling, get a good nights sleep. This one is important in order to allow your body to be fully rested- chances are, you have a long day of traveling, running around, and adjusting to do. Getting a good nights sleep before traveling will let you be refreshed and ready to tackle this long day, pushing your body just a little bit further to get adjusted.

2. The second you step on the plane, change your watch to your new time zone. Setting your watch to your new time zone will switch your mindset, and bring you to think about that time immediately. There is a big difference between looking at the time and seeing it is the middle of the afternoon versus nighttime, so try to get your mind in the right time zone immediately.

3. Adjust your schedule accordingly to that time zone. When you board the plane and have set your watch, is it dinner time? If so, eat. Otherwise, hold off until it is a meal time. Same thing goes for sleeping- is it an appropriate hour to go to bed? If so, sleep. When we left Minneapolis, it was 7 PM Swedish time- so I had dinner, and then proceeded to get a few hours of shut-eye. Same thing on our flight leaving NYC. By the time we landed in Stockholm at 9 AM, I was ready to tackle the day.

4. Upon landing, get busy. Once we landed, we had a big day ahead of us. If you are landing in the morning, schedule activities to keep yourself busy and moving, even if it is just grocery shopping or going for a walk. Yesterday, we had quite the first day in Västerås!

5. No napping- just wait until it is time for bed! This goes hand-in-hand with the previous tip: Keeping busy will prevent you from napping. Napping will just mess up your sleep schedule and make it more difficult to fall asleep at night. Additionally, and I know from previous experience, it is so easy to say you will take a quick nap and then fall asleep for five hours. Just avoid it at all costs! Thus, why I keep busy and try to avoid being around a couch or bed- just way too tempting!

6. At night, take a sleep aid. When going to bed, your body and mind (although exhausted) will likely still be on your previous sleeping schedule. Taking a sleeping aid will just insure that you get a good first night's sleep.

7. Get moving. This is an all-around tip- get moving, get some exercise, and get your endorphins running. Upon waking up this morning, I went out for a quick 4 mile (6.5 km) run. Getting your heart beat up will get your blood flowing and help to keep you awake for the day.

8. Drink lots of water. Another all-around tip, but drinking lots of water will ensure you stay hydrated. Of course, this is also just plain old good for your body!

Of course, these are just some general jet lag tips that I prefer. Looking information up will tell you many different things- some say to adjust your time schedule several days before boarding a plane, some say to avoid caffeine and alcohol, some say to eat meals high in protein. Do what works for you. Personally, I don't believe in adjusting your time schedule before getting on the plane-that just screws up your time at home. I had a red bull yesterday to help keep me moving during the day, ate on a normal schedule, and before bed had a glass of wine to help me wind down and sleep well. Doing what works for your is always, always, going to be the best strategy- because it works. What are some of your travel tips, and how do you beat jet lag?

Arrived in Västerås!

Good evening! After a long day traveling, we have arrived safely in Västerås! We started our travels at Minneapolis airport, and headed to New York for our connection to Stockholm. Of course, we had several delays while heading to New York but fortunately made our connection. After Nick and I's most recent flights to Thailand, the 8 hours to Stockholm from New York felt like nothing!

Nick, myself, and two of the other Americans on the team

My first ever view of NYC in the background and the Statue of Liberty!

Made it to ABB Arena in Västerås!

Previous to our travels, I had been excited to get the year going and begin the season, but still sad to be leaving home- with my family and friends there. When we landed in Stockholm and walked off the plane, I was surprised by how I felt. However, upon leaving the plane, I felt completely at ease and happy- truly, like I was returning home. I suppose this is because while home in Minneapolis for the summer, Nick and I have been busy; yet it seemed as if our life was on hold waiting for the season to start, waiting to see our new apartment, waiting to meet the new team and girls, just waiting for things to happen. So finally arriving in Stockholm, driving to Västerås, and getting things going felt just right, and exactly as things were meant to be. What a different feeling from my arrival and culture shock last year!

Once we arrived to Västerås, our first stop was the hockey rink to drop off the hockey equipment and sticks, as well as pick up our car. From there, we took a quick trip to our apartment, unloaded everything, and then headed to do some light grocery shopping and errands, as well as helping our friends settle in. This was all accomplished relatively quickly, and then Nick headed to the rink for a light workout while I was able to completely clean and unpack everything. Finally, our year is beginning! We have a cute little apartment just a few blocks from the centrum and from the river, which should be great for me for running! After our afternoons, Nick and I took a walk into Västerås centrum to check the city out before relaxing for the rest of the evening. Tomorrow is going to be a fun day, as the team will get together for the first time for the ice premier and a little scrimmage. 

The great view across the river from our living room!

checking out the city already!

We are so happy to be back in Sweden and excited for the upcoming year! A big thanks to our friends and family in Minneapolis for a wonderful summer, and also thank you to everyone in Västerås who has been so kind already! We can't wait for a terrific season!

This Year's Travel Bucket List

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One of my favorite types of blog posts to read are travel bucket lists. I love to get ideas from other people on wonderful places to travel, things to do, and areas to explore. The unfortunate side of this, is that it is nearly impossible to come up with a traditional "travel bucket list" because I would end up including nearly every country in the world--just as a start!-- not to mention various cities within those countries. Last year, I was lucky enough to move to Sweden, and spend nine months traveling throughout Sweden (Kalmar, Stockholm, Stockholm X2, Bubbetorp, Jönköping, Karlskrona, and more). In addition to Sweden, I got to spend time in Munich at Oktoberfest, exploring Prague, in Copenhagen for Christmas markets and for New Years Eve, Paris, even some time back in the US in Arizona, and of course our honeymoon in Thailand! What a busy year it was.

And of course, that was just my first year abroad! This year, in Västerås, I have some big travel ambitions! Here is my travel bucket list for the upcoming season:

1. Västerås, Sweden! I want to see and explore everything that the city has to offer. Just a few more days until I am settled in, and the boys are back on ice!
2. Stockholm, Sweden: I know, I know, I've been here before. However, Stockholm is such a beautiful city and I have really enjoyed exploring all it has to offer, especially the Gamla Stan. 
3. London: I have never been to London, and I can't wait to make my first trip! I am hoping to be able to go while the weather is still nice enough that I can really enjoy my time there.
4. Normandy, France: I just so happened to marry a huge history nerd (which is totally fine by me, I'm a nerd all over the place!) and can't wait to take him to Normandy for his birthday. I'm excited to see all of the history that Normandy has to offer!
5. Berlin, Germany: Nick's (probably) favorite thing in the world are the German Christmas markets. This year, we are really hoping to be able to head to Berlin so he can not only show me the Christmas markets that he has enjoyed, but also the history of the city and all of his favorite spots from when he played there a few years ago!
6. Munich, Germany: It looks like I am headed back to Oktoberfest this year! Can't wait for it, I'm sure it will be a wonderful time! 
7. Poland: I've been checking out flights from Stockholm, and it looks like there are usually relatively cheap flights to Poland! I would love to check out a new country that is not a typical tourist destination.
8. Greece/Jamaica/Mexico/Bahamas/Caribbean: Here is to hoping that after a great season, Nick and I are able to spend some time relaxing. (This may and or may not be a subtle hint to my amazing hubby)

Of course, this list is not comprehensive of everywhere I would like to go in the world- like I said, then I would simply write every country down and call it good! These are just the likely places and locations I will be able to visit this year. Do you think I am missing any good destinations? What are specific places I should add to my overall travel bucket list?

Review: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Top Coat

I love having nice looking nails. Usually, I give myself at-home manicures, hoping that my polish will last more than one full day before it begins chipping. Between my job this summer-waitressing- and playing hockey several days a week, I am lucky if I can make it 24 hours without a chip in my nails. Which is why last week, while out shopping, when I saw Sally Hansen's Miracle Gel Top Coat (that you don't have to use a UV light to cure!) promising 14 days of wear, I was slightly skeptical yet optimistic. At home in the US here I have my own gel polish kit, complete with UV light, but don't bring this over to Sweden. Without further ado, here is my review of the Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Top Coat!

french manicure with the Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Polish

At first, I was pretty skeptical about the claims made by Sally Hansen. 14 days of wear? I've had professional gel manicures that didn't last that long- again, due to the significant stress I put on my nails. Thus, with my skepticism I only purchased the top coat and put it over my regular nail polish, figuring that assuming I had good results I would invest in the polish colors (10 USD each).

How it works: You are supposed to have the Sally Hansen Miracle Gel polish color, and apply two coats of that. Afterwards, apply one coat of the Sally Hansen Miracle Gel top coat, and head out into the sunlight for 5 minutes or so to cure the polish (optimal results). After this, it is supposed to last for 14 days!

What I did: Painted my nails with regular polish, then topped it off with the Miracle Gel top coat. Because I did my nails after the sun had gone down, I simply relaxed for a few minutes (hoping the polish would dry/cure in the light of my condo). Then, I was off to my usual activities! Right now, I will say I am highly impressed with this polish. It has lasted five days, including one shift at work and three times playing hockey. I have two tiny chips- one on each thumb- and that is it! The results I have received so far have impressed me enough where I will be buying more of the top coat and the gel polish colors. I would recommend this product to anyone!

Have you tried Sally Hansen Miracle Gel yet? How long do your manicures usually last?

Update: August 10, 2014

After several weeks of using the Sally Hansen Miracle Gel polish and top coat, I feel like it is high time I post on update on my thoughts of the product! And I have to say, absolutely two thumbs up. Can you use the Miracle Gel top coat with regular polish? Yes, and this works just fine- six days, during which I played hockey, worked out, and did the dishes by hand every day. Does the Miracle Gel polish really last as long as it says? I have to say this is to be determined- I got mine to last as long as ten days before I was impatient with the color and wanted a new one. Still, only minor chips that were hardly noticeable- so I'm fairly sure it could have lasted the entire time. My personal opinion is that you can use Sally Hansen Miracle Gel top coat, with regular polish or Miracle polish, and have great results! I'm so happy I bought a Miracle polish color and two of the top coats before I came to Sweden (where it is not currently sold)!

**I was not compensated for this review, nor did I receive free product. Simply trying to pass along my honest review and recommendation to readers!**

A Great Gift for a Hockey Lover

A few years ago, I was stumbling around on the internet when I happened to come across a chair made out of hockey sticks. I was trying to find the perfect present for Nick, who is clearly a hockey lover. This chair looked pretty cool, and I decided it would be a great gift for Nick- until I came across the price tag. It was just a hair under $600- for a chair that I knew for a fact either my Dad or my Grandpa could make! (interested in getting a chair like this as a gift for your hockey-lover? If so, contact me!)

Instantly, I took a picture of it and sent it on to my Dad and Grandpa, and was given an affirmative "yes, I can make that no problem!" Thus began the process of collecting broken hockey sticks- mine, Nick's, random friends and teammates that happened to break a stick. Within a few months, we had two chairs built!

I'll be honest- I have no idea how the chairs were made, besides time and effort. A very cool gift for a hockey-lover! (thanks for building these for Nick, you two!)