Recognize the symptoms of jet lag

Flying across multiple time zones means you are “losing” or “gaining” several hours, thus disrupting your body’s circadian rhythms or 24-hour clock. There is a lot of debate about whether the direction you are traveling makes the symptoms worse; research does support the belief that you are more likely to experience jet lag when you fly three or more hours east than when you fly three or more hours west.

I recommend: Learn about the symptoms you might experience on a long-haul flight from Diana Fairechild, a former flight attendant and authority on jet lag.

Plan ahead to avert symptoms

If you know for a fact that the sluggishness and distress you’ve experienced after long flights is jet lag, it would be worth implementing a pre-travel routine to avoid it in the future.

I recommend: Check out the Anti-Jet-Lag-Diet developed by the Argonne National Laboratory at the University of Chicago. The diet is said to adjust a traveler’s body clock, thus minimizing or eliminating the symptoms of jet lag. For a fee, you can calculate a diet online based on your upcoming trip itinerary. You’ll find more information on combating jet lag with the feast-fast-feast diet here.

Find medication to help ease jet lag symptoms

There are natural supplements that are said to lessen the affects of jet lag. Most are widely available at health food stores, in pharmacies or online. Though some travelers resort to popping sleeping pills on a long flight, this is not a recommended practice as long periods of immobility can cause blood clots to form.

I recommend: The natural supplement melatonin is sometimes recommended to help adjust the body clock. It is sold at health food stores and online. You can learn more about it here. Because it is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), be sure to ask your doctor for advice. Also check out the homeopathic remedy No-Jet-Lag recommended by several sources including Marlene R. Fedin, The Wellness Concierge.

Use gadgets and products that help lessen the discomfort

Because jet lag is so widely experienced, there are several sources for products that will alleviate the affects of prolonged air travel and help you adjust faster at your destination.

I recommend: Resetting your watch to the time at your destination as soon as you board the aircraft is a good way to start adjusting your body clock. With a dual-time watch, you’ll know what time it is back home too. You can find them for men and women or both. A body-molded compression garment called Jet Skins helps reduce dehydration, leg and foot swelling and it encourages blood flow. Look into Flight Spray, a nasal hydration spray developed for frequent air travelers. Sooth aching muscles during flight with 12-hour heat pads from Bodi Heat. Look into the AiroGym Exercise Cushion.