Traveling soon and worried about jet lag?
Jet lag is a common challenge for travelers crossing multiple time zones, manifesting as sleep disturbances, daytime fatigue, cognitive impairment, mood changes and gastrointestinal discomfort. Understanding the underlying causes and applying evidence-based strategies can help reduce its impact, support your body’s resilience and promote a faster recovery.
What is Jet Lag & What Causes It?
Jet lag arises from a misalignment between the body's internal circadian clock and the local time at the travel destination.
The severity depends on several factors:
- Direction of Travel: Eastward travel typically results in more severe symptoms than westward travel due to the difficulty of advancing the circadian rhythm.1
- Number of Time Zones Crossed: Greater time differences increase circadian disruption and fatigue.2
- Sleep Loss During Travel: Overnight flights and poor-quality sleep exacerbate symptoms.3
- Individual Tolerance: Sensitivity to circadian misalignment varies, with older adults often experiencing more pronounced effects.4
Therapies to Help Avoid Jet Lag
IV Drip Therapy: The Defender IV Drip
IV Drip Therapy offers rapid hydration and targeted nutrient delivery, which can be especially beneficial before travel. The Defender IV Drip, exclusively at Restore Hyper Wellness, is an excellent choice for travelers since it includes several key nutrients that can support your immunity:
- Glutathione: A potent antioxidant that combats oxidative stress (that may happen from air travel and cabin pressure), potentially reducing fatigue and supporting immune function.5
- B12: Essential for energy production and neurological health, B12 supplementation may help counteract travel-induced fatigue and support cognitive function.
- Taurine: This Amino Acid supports cellular hydration and cardiovascular health and may help reduce feelings of fatigue and mental fog after travel.
- Lysine: An essential Amino Acid that supports immune function and may help reduce susceptibility to infections during travel.
- High Dose Vitamin C: Well-known for its immune-boosting and antioxidant properties, Vitamin C may help protect against illness and oxidative stress associated with travel.
- Zinc: Supports immune defense and may reduce the risk of infection, which is particularly important when exposed to new environments and crowded spaces.
IV Therapy ensures these nutrients are delivered directly to the bloodstream with 100% bioavailability for rapid, effective replenishment.
NAD+ or Niagen (NR) Therapy
NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is vital for cellular energy production and may support circadian rhythm regulation. NAD+ IV Drip Therapy or its powerful precursor, Niagen (NR), can help boost energy levels and improve cognitive clarity after long flights. These therapies support mitochondrial function, potentially easing symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog and disrupted sleep.
Red Light Therapy
Red Light Therapy, used strategically before and after travel, can help synchronize the body's internal clock, promote restful sleep and reduce the severity of jet lag symptoms. It can also calm the nervous system, potentially making it easier to transition to a new time zone.
Infrared Sauna
Infrared Sauna promotes relaxation, supports detoxification and may aid in circadian adjustment by enhancing sleep quality. The gentle heat can help reduce stress and muscle tension, supporting overall recovery during and after travel.
Therapies to Help Recover from Jet Lag
IV Drip Therapy for Hydration
Hydration is critical for recovery from jet lag, as air travel often leads to dehydration, which can amplify fatigue and cognitive impairment. IV Therapy rapidly restores fluid and electrolyte balance, supporting faster adjustment and improved physical and mental performance. View our full IV Drip Menu, and ask your Restore Nurse about customizations for your Drip.
Compression
Compression devices that slip over your legs, arms or hips can help reduce swelling and improve circulation after long flights, supporting faster recovery and reducing discomfort.
Infrared Sauna
Post-travel Infrared Sauna sessions can further promote relaxation, support immune function and aid in detoxification, potentially helping the body recover from the physical stresses of travel.
Additional Tools for Jet Lag
Melatonin Supplementation: Melatonin can help reset the sleep-wake cycle and improve sleep quality which may help reduce jet lag duration.6
Light Exposure Management: Strategic exposure to natural and artificial light is a cornerstone of circadian realignment, helping the body adjust more quickly to new time zones.
Magnesium and Adaptogens: Magnesium supports relaxation and sleep quality, while adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha and rhodiola may help the body better adapt to travel-related stress.
Prepare Smarter, Recover Harder
Proactively supporting your body before and after travel isn’t just smart—it’s the best way to protect your health and boost your energy, no matter how far you’re flying. By combining strategic hydration, targeted nutrient IV Therapy, support for your circadian rhythm and key lifestyle adjustments, you can reduce the effects of jet lag and arrive feeling focused, resilient and ready to thrive. For those seeking an evidence-driven approach to travel recovery, your local Restore studio offers a variety of advanced wellness therapies designed to help you optimize every leg of your journey—from takeoff to full recovery.
Book your appointment today!
Medical services are provided by an independently-owned physician practice. Some services may require medical clearance and a prescription. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone. Services, therapies, nutrients and prices may vary per location. The content on our site, blog posts, educational materials, apps, promotional newsletters, and any other written content are not intended to replace an evaluation with a qualified healthcare professional and are not intended as medical advice.
