Travel Innovations: The Death of Jet Lag?
Modern problem-solvers are on a quest to out-innovate jet lag. But is it even possible? Are innovators truly close to discovering the jet-setters' Holy Grail? Or are these attempts doomed to crash and burn? We invite you to join us as we explore these possibilities.
We know most of you have experience jet lag first hand (most likely in a big way). But what is jet lag, exactly?
Jet Lag Disorder Defined
Jet lag is a temporary sleep disorder, per the Mayo Clinic. It can affect anyone who travels across several time zones rapidly.
Each of us has a sort of internal clock, called circadian rhythms, which govern our need for sleeping and waking.
Jet lag occurs because your body's internal clock is still synced to your original time zone, instead of to the time zone you land in.
The more time zones crossed in one flight, the more likely you are to experience it.
Jet lag can cause fatigue, gastrointestinal problems, and difficulty staying alert.
But can jet lag be cured? These sources say "yes." Let's see what various apps, airlines and nutrition experts have to say about it.
Travel Apps May Soothe Jet Lag
The Timeshifter App claims to be able to cure jet lag with a combination of timed light and melatonin, the hormone your body produces in response to darkness. Their science makes sense, and it's not wrong. The concept behind this app is that by timing your exposure to light, and dark, and taking melatonin supplements to tell your body that it's dark, you can manipulate your circadian rhythms.
We love their little disclaimer that you may still feel sluggish and fatigued even if you're using the app. Those symptoms must be due to an overall lack of sleep. We'd also like to point out that tweaking your body's natural systems are a manipulation, not a cure, by definition.
In 2019, Erica Haton wrote about jet lag related apps at the Healthy Travel Blog. Her recommendations include:
Uplift - An app that promises to reduce your jet lag via five-minute acupressure exercises, for a one-time fee of $9.99.
SleepCycle - An alarm-clock type app that promises to wake you up at the perfect time to feel most rested.
Jet Lag Rooster - A website that acts much like the Timeshifter app, helping you seek light or melatonin at the right times.
While each of these applications has it's merits, we feel they're more about managing your body to avoid jet lag. They aren't exactly cures.
We think a reliable source for jet lag cures may come from airlines themselves as they strive to improve customer experience beyond conventional benchmarks.
Airline Answers to the Jet Lag Puzzle
Australian airline Qantas and the University of Sydney's Charles Perkins Centre published a small study in 2019, focusing on almost 500 travelers during long flights (nine or more hours). Of the surveyed travelers, they found:
54% of people used earplugs or noise-canceling ear wear
24% avoided alcohol completely
38% drank alcohol to help them sleep
10% took sleeping pills or tablets
On the ground, only 38% of them made healthy food choices to help them recuperate.
The New York Times reported on further studies by the Australian airline. You may remember Qantas's record-breaking Sydney to New York in October 2019. "Project Sunrise" made international headlines when it landed after 19 hours and 16 minutes in the air, it was the first of three such flights.
Each of the passengers and crew (a total of 49 souls) was wearing devices to monitor lighting, sleep patterns, dining habits, physical movement, and in-flight entertainment.
This study is currently underway, but we're hoping to learn more about jet lag on very long flights.
United Airlines Partnered with the Timeshifter app in November 2019 as well. Per United's website "all MileagePlus members receive access to a free Timeshifter jet lag plan, and Premier 1K members receive a complimentary subscription with unlimited plans. The app is targeted at customers flying across three or more time zones and will be a helpful tool for them to manage their jet lag as they travel throughout United's global route network."
Travel Better with a Better Diet
Great nutrition is the basis of nearly all our bodily functions. From energy levels to a good night's sleep, our bodies require adequate fuel. No secret there! Airport meals, salty snacks and soft drinks aren't the best choice for the rigors of travel and often times, the only option.
Dehydration is a real travel risk. Experts tell us that three solid meals a day, similar to our home routine, and a focus on proper hydration will make a tremendous impact on our jet lag experience.
You might also benefit from some travel-specific supplements.
Nutraceuticals and Supplements to Combat Jet Lag
Addressing overall wellness, Maya Allen wrote about seven supplements for beating jet lag in 2018 on Byrdie.com. In addition to melatonin and vitamin D, she suggests travelers take Pycnogenol to avoid deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a potentially painful and even life-threatening occurrence of blood clots in the legs. These dangerous clots are common medical conditions among long-flight travelers.
We're not entirely sure of the effectiveness of jet lag supplements like Jet Lag Rapid Reset. These supplements claim to be "professionally formulated with: 5-HTP, Melatonin, L-Theanine, GABA, Magnesium, Phellodendron Root, and Mucuna Pruriens Extract." They offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee and claim to reduce the symptoms of jet lag immediately.
Per Jetsetter.com, JetZone is a similar supplement that makes similar claims and has similar ingredients.
Lavender oil as an aromatherapy treatment is also said to be helpful by Jetsetter.com
Ultimately, the jury is still out on the effectiveness of jet lag apps and nutritional supplements. Research and development for these products is still underway. With any luck, however, regular travelers can look forward to upcoming developments in the next few years.
Do you have a jet lag reduction routine? Have you tried Timeshifter or another app? What about these supplements or a similar one? Leave us a comment below. We'd love to hear all about it!