Title Photography: Julija Step by Raymond Meier in "In Transit" for British Vogue February 2011

Unanimously, jet-lag is the worst. It cuts into vacation time, lowers productivity, and leaves you feeling uninspired.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I HAVE JET-LAG?

Jet-Lag occurs when the brain cells that regulate our circadian rhythms—which serve as our bodies’ master clock—are out of sync with the time zone we are in. When you travel across and arrive in a new time zone, your body is still wired to the sun patterns from your home location. You end up getting light when your body is used to it being dark, and vice versa; in turn, disrupting your circadian rhythm.

Photo: By Cass Bird for Vogue December 2014

GETTING BACK ON TRACK

Jet-Lag does eventually dissipate as your internal clock resets to the new time zone you are in. However, it can take your body long to adjust. Fortunately, there are several natural ways to battle Jet-Lag.

1. Time Your Flight: Try to schedule your flight so that the local time of your new destination is close to the time you usually wake up. Flights that cross time zones are intentionally scheduled so that they mostly land in the morning. Pick the one that best suits you.

2. Stay Hydrated: Hydration is important before, after and during the flight. Prevent dehydration by refusing alcohol on board as the plane environment is already very dry to begin with and alcohol will only aggravate the problem.
3. Stress Aids: Bring a small rollerball of lavender essential oils and gently
   apply it on your wrists, chest, and neck across the course of your flight. Lavender is not only anti-infective, but it could act as a sedative as well. Chamomile tea is also a lovely, soothing drink to have on board. If you need to get into a sleepy state to hack your circadian rhythm, supplementing with Melatonin could help. Melatonin is a natural hormone produced in the brain which helps to signal bedtime and sleep.
4. Nourish Yourself: Fuel your body with fresh foods whenever possible. Try to eat a well-rounded meal before and after you fly. A great option would be a quick protein smoothie packed with hydrating fruits and greens or a refreshing salad.
5. Move Around: Getting up to walk or stretch on flight can help to improve your blood flow. The less you move, the less blood flow there will be – this may result in you feeling more tired upon arrival. Simple stretches like seated twists, shoulder rolls or a standing quad stretch can be done with minimal disruption to other passengers.
6. Adjust To Daylight: To help your body clock adjust, get as much bright light during the day as soon as you arrive. You may not feel hungry when you first land, but it is important to eat something when you usually do. Food plays a big role in regulating our circadian rhythms as well.
7. Limit Naps Upon Arrival: A short nap can be an energy booster. However, napping for more than 30 minutes can keep you from falling asleep at night. Try your best to stay awake until your regular bedtime and get up on time the next day.

 Try these tips the next time round you find yourself flying to your new vacation destination. Jet-Lag is difficult to deal with, but we can always make the best out of it by mitigating the symptoms as much as possible.