Dealing with Conference Exhaustion
Jetlag
Plan your conference schedule to take into account that it can take many days to overcome jet lag.
Try to arrive at least a day before the conference to rest and adjust to the new time zone.
Help your body to acclimatize by sleeping and drinking water on the plane, and by avoiding drinking alcohol. Do some light exercise on the day you arrive, ideally in the sunlight.
Food/Water
When you first arrive, take time to find out about sources of food. If you have a scholarship and are in university residence type accommodation, breakfast is usually served.
In the Conference venue there are usually hot meals or sandwiches available, but it is often expensive. Buy fruit and healthy snacks and carry them with you.
Drink lots of water, which is usually provided for free at the Conference venue.
PLHIV
If you are a person living with HIV, make good use of the PLHIV Lounge for rest, relaxation and nutrition.
See the PLHIV section of this site.
Rest/Relaxation
Schedule in some relaxation time during each day. Even taking a half hour between sessions to walk outside will help.
If your accommodation is far from the Conference venue, allow yourself time during the day to chill out in a Networking Zone, PLHIV Lounge (if applicable) or some of the rest areas in the venue.
Have fun at night with the many free/low cost events and activities but make sure you get enough sleep.
You will be doing a lot of walking so look after your feet! Bring some foot cream with you and apply it each night/during the day as needed. Make sure your shoes are comfortable and don’t wear the same shoes every day. Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline) is really good for avoiding and treating blisters. Just don’t use it as lube for your condoms!
Do not try to do and see everything. Otherwise you may be burned out after the first day.