A voyage abroad can expand your horizons – but when jet lag kicks in, optimal functioning can plunge, with the onset of brain fog, feelings of malaise, and fatigue. However, natural recovery can happen with help from our functional IV therapy Toronto lounge.

So, what exactly does it mean to be jet lagged? Well, it means your body is struggling to regulate sleep-wake cycles at your landed destination. Jet lag is a sleep issue that’s caused by travelling over three different time zones rapidly on a plane. This can last for a couple of days to a few weeks. Due to this circadian rhythm change, jet lag “…may result in reduced attention/vigilance, alteration in mood states, diminished memory processing, and alteration in executive function,” says a review from Chest. 

Jet lag symptoms 

Between hectic work schedules, family obligations, and commuting, jet lag can get in the way of daily activities. Jet lag symptoms may include: 

• • Insomnia
  • Mood swings
  • Upset stomach
  • Decline in cognitive function (i.e. lack of concentration)
  • Drowsiness
  • Tension headaches

Shockingly, this disorder can impact your long-term health. According to a Sleep Medicine Clinics article, repeatedly getting jet lagged can boost your risks for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. And here’s another surprising fact: jet lag can worsen as you age! Therefore, discovering health strategies to combat jet lag may offer beneficial effects. Maybe you’re about to visit the other side of the world; or perhaps you’ve just arrived in Toronto and headaches and fatigue have begun. For both cases, tips from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre (TFMC) may drive you to take healthy actions! 

Suggested reading : Heighten Your Summer Health with Our IV Lounge’s Longevity Drip Combos

Functional medicine approach: How to get over jet lag

The severity of jet lag varies between individuals due to age, current stress loads, dietary intake of coffee and/or alcohol, and the location you’re travelling to. But there are simple strategies that may help prevent or lessen symptoms. The points below may offer some assistance for your travels:   

1. 1. Adapt your sleep schedule in advance. Voyaging to the east has been linked to severe jet lag compared to flying out west. This is because the human body naturally acclimates to late-night activity rather than sleeping early. So, if you’re about to fly east, go to sleep an hour early for a few nights prior to flying. For travelling west, sleep an hour later than normal for numerous nights before you leave. 
   2. Get to your destination early. If you’re able to, try to arrive a few days before you begin your schedule of events. Taking some time to reset your sleep-wake cycle can add efficiency to your vacation.  
   3. Say good morning to the sun. When light peeks into the eyes, retinal cells tell your brain to adapt to daytime or nighttime environments. Outside magazine recommends getting 10 minutes of sunlight exposure for 30-60 minutes when you wake up in a new setting. It’s also advised to refrain from switching lights on between 10pm-4am.
   4. Give light therapy a try. As reported by the Journal of Biological Rhythms, “Scheduled exposure to bright light can, in principle, alleviate the symptoms of jet lag by accelerating circadian reentrainment to new time zones.” So, consult with your healthcare provider about using light therapy devices. This is a type of box that exposes you to artificial light that’s similar to the sun’s rays. 
   5. Exercise outdoors when you get home. Physical activity in your backyard or park can potentially reduce jet lag symptoms, helping your body readjust to your home’s temperature levels. According to a Sports Medicine article, the time of day you exercise might make a difference – working out in the mornings (i.e. when the sun rises) can drive back the sleep-wake cycle. On the other hand, early-evening workouts can set your circadian rhythm forward. 
   6. Book an intravenous treatment with customized doses of nutrients: IV therapy drips offer instant hydration to the human body, which can contribute to reducing jet lag symptoms. Personalized drip therapy allows for therapeutic doses to be calculated for your biology. When IV treatments are tailored for individual support (i.e. nutrient deficiencies), they may contribute to efficient jet lag recovery. Vitamin drips can be customized with detoxifying, energizing ingredients, such as glutathione and B vitamins. The “Rescue Me” drip is offered at the TFMC, and it’s suitable for post-travel/jet lag recovery. 

If you’re a frequent traveller, you can request a customized strategy to combat jet lag healthily. This may include a custom-made IV drip, taking oral supplementation, and practicing lifestyle modifications. New patients are welcome to consult with our functional clinic and Toronto IV Lounge to find out what IV drip combo works for your specific needs. Book your initial visit today!

Visit Our IV Lounge inside the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre (TFMC)

When adjunct intravenous therapy is added to a healthy quality of life (nutritious diet, exercise, and various functional medicine therapies), it can help nurture wellness goals. IV therapy treatments and injection therapies are available at the TFMC’s IV Lounge in Yorkville. 

Our IV Lounge was first established in 2012; we’ve been guiding patients with vitamin drips and a wide range of custom therapies since then! Your tailored treatment plan may include several treatment modalities that are adapted specifically for your needs. Our functional medicine modalities include acupuncture, naturopathic medicine, Western medicine, hormone replacement therapies, psychotherapy, among others. 

If necessary, intravenous drips can be prescribed by our functional IV therapy providers for supportive measures. Our menu contains various key ingredients for your uniqueness and optimal health, such as vitamin A, glutathione, vitamin C, mistletoe, amino acids, and vitamin E; goal-oriented drips can also be prescribed (i.e. post-surgical drip or anti-aging IV drip). Our vitamin IV therapy drips are blended daily in our IV Lounge; we do NOT add preservatives or fillers! We only provide our patients with fresh, natural ingredients, and sessions are carefully supervised by our naturopathic doctors, registered nurses and nurse practitioners. 

Recover from jet lag naturally! Our IV Lounge in Toronto is accepting new patients for adjunct therapies. Get a custom-made IV drip with vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antioxidants, and more! Ask us more about our functional IV therapy – send the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre a message here.  

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. You should always consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of information you have read from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website or other affiliate media. 

 

References

Boulos Z, Campbell SS, Lewy AJ, Terman M, Dijk DJ, Eastman CI. Light treatment for sleep disorders: consensus report. VII. Jet lag. J Biol Rhythms. 1995 Jun;10(2):167-76. doi: 10.1177/074873049501000209. PMID: 7632990.

Eastman CI, Burgess HJ. How To Travel the World Without Jet lag. Sleep Med Clin. 2009 Jun 1;4(2):241-255. doi: 10.1016/j.jsmc.2009.02.006. PMID: 20204161; PMCID: PMC2829880.

Forbes-Robertson S, Dudley E, Vadgama P, Cook C, Drawer S, Kilduff L. Circadian disruption and remedial interventions: effects and interventions for jet lag for athletic peak performance. Sports Med. 2012 Mar 1;42(3):185-208. doi: 10.2165/11596850-000000000-00000. PMID: 22299812.

“Jet Lag” from the Cleveland Clinic, reviewed May 12, 2024, viewed on July 13, 2024. 

“Jet Lag: Navigating Symptoms, Causes, & Prevention” from the Sleep Foundation, updated March 22, 2024, viewed on July 14, 2024. 

Shiota M, Sudou M, Ohshima M. Using outdoor exercise to decrease jet lag in airline crewmembers. Aviat Space Environ Med. 1996 Dec;67(12):1155-60. PMID: 8968481.

Wehrens SMT, Christou S, Isherwood C, Middleton B, Gibbs MA, Archer SN, Skene DJ, Johnston JD. Meal Timing Regulates the Human Circadian System. Curr Biol. 2017 Jun 19;27(12):1768-1775.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2017.04.059. Epub 2017 Jun 1. PMID: 28578930; PMCID: PMC5483233.

Weingarten JA, Collop NA. Air travel: effects of sleep deprivation and jet lag. Chest. 2013 Oct;144(4):1394-1401. doi: 10.1378/chest.12-2963. PMID: 24081353.