Tips for Avoiding Jet Lag

WHAT IS JETLAG?

Jetlag is medically referred to as desynchronosis. It is a physiological condition caused by alterations to circadian rhythms. Circadian rhythms dictate times for eating, sleeping, hormone regulation and body temperature. When these rhythms are out of alignment, this is referred to as Jetlag.

WHAT CAUSES JETLAG?

Jetlag is caused by rapid crossing of East/ West or West/ East time zones. Other contributors to Jetlag are: tiredness, dehydration and disrupted digestive patterns.

AVOIDING OR PREVENTING JET LAG

To avoid Jet Lag a person needs to:

• Stay hydrated
• Sleep
• Subtly change the body's digestive patterns and balance the body's circadian rhythms.

Balance employees regularly travel between Australia and New York (a 21 hour flight crossing 10 time zones). We do not suffer from Jetlag in either direction.

Here is the procedure we use for short and long haul trips to avoid Jetlag.

Before the airport

For Long Haul (> 8hrs)

• Drink a 1L bottle of Balance for Traveling the day before your flight
• Drink a 1L bottle of Balance for Traveling the morning of your flight
• Drink a 1L bottle of Balance for Traveling on the way to the airport
  

For Short Haul (<8hrs)

• Drink 2 x 1L bottles of Balance for Traveling at least 2hrs before the flight

At the airport

• First you’ll need a bathroom break!
  
• Eat a light meal before you get on the plane - large salad is best.
  
  Something that is low in carbs and fat and easy to digest.
  

On the plane

• For short haul do not eat on the plane (except trail mix or nuts or a
  piece of fruit).
  
• For long haul do not eat all three courses - just the main and try to choose fish or vegetarian (again for digestion) - constant snacking on
  small amounts of food is very important - you want to be adjusting
  the body’s digestive clock to a new cycle.
  

• Do not drink alcohol on the plane - this compounds jetlag badly
• Get as much sleep as possible on the plane - if you need to take a sleeping pill do so but use plenty of water before and after. If you take a sleeping pill take a proper prescription one not a muscle relaxant or sedative or antihistamine. These will make you groggy the next day and have a much greater chance of unpleasant side effects.
  
• Once you wake up from your sleep drink plenty of water.
  
• If it’s a redeye try to avoid the breakfast on the plane - a smoothie or fruit cup is a much better option than the bacon and eggs. Better to wait and have a meal on regular time in the new country.
  
• If possible drink another 1L bottle of Balance for Traveling at your destination to help with the adjustment.