Use light to take the lag out of jet-setting - Luxury Portfolio International

Abstract

According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, it takes about one day per time zone crossed to adjust - the greater the time change, the longer it will take to get over. "Travelling a few time zones east is harder than travelling a few time zones west, since it is typically harder to shift the circadian rhythms earlier rather than later," Mr. Olson said. "If travelling a few time zones east, getting bright light after you wake up and avoiding light exposure before bed can shift your circadian rhythms to help match the destination," he said. "If travelling a few time zones west, get light exposure before bedtime and avoid it in the morning." Timing can be tricky though when trying to adjust ahead of a vacation. "When crossing more than a few time zones, the light exposure times become a bit more complicated - more preparation is needed and sometimes the right time for light exposure is counter-intuitive," Mr. Olson said. There is a wide variety of Web sites and apps, such as Jet Lag Rooster, which Mr. Olson helped develop, that will compute exactly when you need light or darkness in local time. Melatonin supplements can help with sleeping at unusual times.