Tired of Jet Lag? Experts Share Their Top Tips for Travel Recovery
Poinews.com – Jet lag remains a common challenge for globetrotters, regardless of whether they’re chasing professional commitments or personal adventures. The rapid shift across time zones throws off the body’s natural circadian rhythm, leading to symptoms like exhaustion, sleep disturbances, mental fog, and difficulty focusing—particularly when arriving at a destination where you’re eager to explore. While complete avoidance isn’t always possible, research-backed strategies can help lessen its effects and speed up your adjustment to a new time zone.
Preparation and In-Flight Habits
Experts recommend starting your recovery process before departure. Adjusting your sleep schedule a few days prior to the trip can ease the transition. During the flight, staying hydrated, managing meal timing, and using tools like blue-light-filtering glasses or wearable devices can support your body’s adaptation to new daylight patterns.
Upon arrival, prioritizing rest and exposing yourself to natural light at the destination are simple yet effective steps. These actions help reset your internal clock, reducing the physical and mental strain of long-haul travel. Some airlines are now incorporating wellness initiatives to aid passengers in this process, blending science and comfort into the journey itself.
Fiji Airways’ FlyWell Wellness Programme
Fiji Airways has introduced FlyWell, a wellness initiative designed to combat the effects of extended travel. Developed with expert partners, the program includes five science-based routines targeting circulation, sleep quality, cognitive function, recovery, and cabin ambiance, offering a holistic approach to long-haul flights.
“Recognising that long-haul flights can take a major toll on the body and mind, Fiji Airways has launched FlyWell to help passengers arrive feeling refreshed rather than exhausted,”
The FlyWell experience spans from takeoff to landing, featuring supplements like Magic Mind focus and sleep aids, as well as Firefly Recovery wearables that encourage blood flow during the flight. In Nadi’s Premier Lounge, travelers can also access red light therapy sessions from Vital Red Light, while Aires Tech technology enhances the overall atmosphere of the lounge, resort areas, and crew facilities to promote relaxation.
Apps for Customised Recovery
Several apps are tailored to help travelers manage jet lag. Timeshifter, created with input from sleep scientists, generates personalized recovery plans based on your itinerary, age, and usual sleep habits. It guides users on when to sleep, adjust light exposure, consume caffeine, and take melatonin if needed.
Entrain, developed by researchers at the University of Michigan, uses mathematical models of the circadian rhythm to suggest optimal light exposure and sleep schedules. By inputting travel details and sleep patterns, the app provides actionable advice to align your body clock with the destination’s time zone more efficiently.
