November 21 2018
For years, I have strenuously maintained that when I fly west, especially to Hawaii from the West Coast, I never have been jet lagged. But when I fly to Europe from Seattle, if I don't follow all the jet lag management tactics I've learned over the years, I'll pay the price. Many fellow business and active leisure travelers told me I was nuts.
It turns out, according to sleep medicine physician Dr. Susan Rausch of Seattle's highly-acclaimed Sleep Disorders Center at Virginia Mason, I was right all along. Our bodies are physiologically wired to "Go west."
What we are doing, according to Dr. Rausch, is disrupting our circadian rhythms. What's that? That's our 24-hour internal clock that runs in the background of our brain, cycling between sleep and being awake and alert at regular intervals. In other words, it's our sleep/wake cycle.
A big impact on our circadian rhythms is light. In the most simplistic terms, when it gets dark, our eyes send a signal to the brain, which tells our body to release melatonin, which makes us tired. When we disrupt our routine – like flying across time zones, or staying up to the wee hours of the morning, or even a change like Daylight Savings Time, our body reacts.
Over the years, I've collected an array of tips and tactics for avoiding jet lag, and for the most part, I have been successful. When I recently met with Dr. Rausch, she shared with me a tip sheet on "Jet Lag Management" that included something I had never seen before, but wished I had: two different strategies for east versus west travel.
Here is a summation of this nifty little handout, timely for the long holiday travel I am sure many folks will soon be taking. I hope this helps, but don't thank me – thank Dr. Rausch!
Before you start your East Coast trip:
Upon and after arrival:
Before you start your West Coast trip:
Upon and after arrival:
Many of these tips and tactics I have used successfully over the years. I forgo the medication recommendation. None of that worked well for me in the past. The sunlight tips are magical, as it's something most people won't want to hear. If you are flying east and arriving late, don't drink alcohol on the plane. Drink plenty of water instead.
That final suggestion may sound harsh, but I've often found that's the most significant trigger to jet lag. For a long trip, your body will be much happier, as will your mood. That will bring more happiness to those around you, a pretty good thing for the holidays, no?
To view the original article, visit the WAV Group blog.