How to Avoid Jet Lag
Since K’s family lives in Greece, we make it a priority to travel there to visit as often as we can. Traveling to faraway places is one of the most amazing things we can do in a lifetime, but the jetlag that comes with it can be rough!
Over the years I’ve picked up a few hacks that help us to avoid jet lag, and to bounce back from it as quickly as possible.
First things first, what is jet lag exactly?
Jet lag is a set symptoms that results from a disruption in the body’s circadian rhythms, also known as the body clock. It happens when we travel rapidly across time zones, or work night shifts.
Jet lag can make you feel tired, drowsy, dizzy, have headaches, and just all around not great.
Tip #1 – Homeopathic jet lag pills
I discovered these homeopathic jet lag prevention pills called Jet Zone a few years back.
You begin taking the pills an hour before your plane takes off, and then once every 2 hours or so while you’re flying.
K didn’t think he needed them, but I made him take them anyway and when we got to Athens he was amazed at how much they helped. (The lesson here is always listen to your wife 😆)
(Note, these do contain a small amount of lactose, just in case that’s something you definitely have to avoid for health reasons.)
Tip #2 – Stay hydrated
Traveling across the world (or at least across different time zones) can really throw the systems in our body for a loop. I like to fast on the long flight (to give my body a break from digesting), and I make sure to stay extra hydrated with water and herbal tea.
It’s important that every cell in our body has enough hydration to adapt to the change and bounce back to optimal function as soon as possible.
So drink plenty of water, and avoid alcohol and caffeine on the flight.
Tip #3 – Expose Yourself to Daylight
Jet lag occurs because our internal clocks are not aligned with the time zone we’ve landed in.
To help your internal clock adjust, get yourself outdoors in the morning light during the first few days you’ve landed.
Keep your sunglasses off! (at least for a bit in the morning)
It’s important that the light from the sun gets into your eyes, because that signal will help your body adjust.
It can be tempting to spend time inside napping, but if you can get outdoors and let your body know it’s daytime, you will be better off.
Tip #4 – Reset with melatonin
Melatonin is a hormone that’s made by the pineal gland in the brain. It helps control our daily sleep-wake cycles.
When you’ve shifted time zones, it’s a good idea to supplement with melatonin at night to get your body in the right sleep-wake cycle.
I use this melatonin cream. It is absorbed through the skin and I’ve found it to be more effective than pills, but you can of course take whatever form of melatonin you have.
Tip #5 – Chinese Medicine Curing Pills
An acupuncturist I visited a few years back recommended these Curing Pills to me. I keep them in the medicine cabinet at all times now, and I always take them with us when we travel.
The pills are great if you’re feeling jet lagged, but also if you’re feeling nauseous, have a headache, or just need to get rid of a hangover.
I have purchased mine from my acupuncturist, and also from Amazon. For some reason they don’t have this bottle available on Amazon for me to link, but if you search around maybe you can find them.
Tip #6 – Relax and go with the flow!
How amazing is it that we can wake up on one continent and that same day be on another continent? (or across the country)
Flying is such an incredible technology and lets us experience parts of the world we would never be able to otherwise experience. When I’m feeling jet-lagged, I try to remember how great it is that I’m able to travel.
The feelings of jet lag are just a small downside to the experience of traveling as a whole, so just relax and focus on the fun memories you’ll be making!
3 responses to “How to Avoid Jet Lag”
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Great tips, Allyson. I will keep these in mind on my way home. I gipe you both have a wonderdul time. I want to see pictures as soon as we can all get together
Yes can’t wait to see you and hear about your travels as well!
Thanks for sharing your experience. I will make a note out of it.