Natural Jet Lag Remedies

Jet lag is the mortal enemy of frequent travelers. This hateful nemesis will sap your energy and cause you to miss out on many adventures. Getting your body back into rhythm is a difficult task, but there are a few things you can do ahead of your trip to combat this foe.

Adjust Your Clock

To help yourself acclimate to a different time zone, pretend you’re already living in it. Spend the few days leading up to your flight sleeping and rising on your destination’s time schedule. That way, your body will already be in the process of adjusting its internal clock.

Light Exposure

Adding some bright light to your life can help. If you find yourself heading west, using a light box for an hour or two after dusk can help your body adjust its circadian rhythm. When heading east, you’ll want to do the opposite and avoid light early in the day.

Try Fasting

Research has shown fasting can alter your body’s circadian rhythm as well. To try this, you’ll want to eat your last meal at noon the day of your flight. Then, wait until 7 or 8 a.m. the following morning, while at your new destination, to eat again. This will prompt your body to start forming a new feeding schedule.