I’m getting excited because I’m going to Japan next week. Traveling overseas with a significant time difference, especially from the United States to Japan, can result in nearly a 12-hour time gap depending on the location in the US. This can lead to a challenging adjustment, as your body’s day-night rhythm gets reversed. It usually takes about a week to fully adapt to the time difference.

Today, I’d like to share some tips on minimizing jet lag and staying energetic and at your best across time zones.

Fasting on the Plane

The U.S. Air Force conducted an experiment where they divided soldiers flying long-haul missions with significant time differences into two groups. One group fasted during the flight, while the other group had regular meals. The results showed that the fasting group not only performed better upon arrival but also experienced fewer or quicker recoveries from jet lag-like symptoms.

I also tried this on my previous trip to Japan, where I only had crackers, almond butter, and nuts as meals on the plane, and it significantly sped up my recovery from jet lag.

Stay Hydrated

Airplane cabins tend to be dry, leading to dehydration. Since our bodies constantly require hydration, drinking plenty of water helps with circulation. It also provides a reason to get up and move around, promoting physical activity.

A top-secret tip is to dissolve 1 or 2 pellets of Arnica homeopathic medicine in your water bottle to reduce muscle fatigue and tension. (I always do this.)

Sleep Whenever Possible

This is a personal choice, but I sleep whenever I can on the plane. Even if I deliberately tire myself out the day before, I try to take advantage of any opportunity to sleep during the flight. When I was younger, I used to stay awake only during meal times and slept the rest of the time. It made me arrive full of energy! Nowadays, it’s not always easy to do, but resting as much as possible and storing up energy really helps in dealing with jet lag.

Get Sunlight Exposure

Once you arrive at your destination, try to bask in the sunlight during daytime. The human body recognizes its circadian rhythm (internal clock) through sunlight exposure. So, spending time in the sun during the day and being in dark places during the night can speed up your recovery from jet lag.

These are some of my best practices for dealing with jet lag. If you have any other tips, feel free to share them here!”