Jet Lag No More! Bryan Johnson Shares His Proven Travel Recovery Tricks

Dec 06, 2024
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Jet Lag No More! Bryan Johnson Shares His Proven Travel Recovery Tricks (Image Credits: Instagram)

Tech millionaire Bryan Johnson, known for his anti-ageing Blueprint project, is making headlines during his visit to India. Recently, he visited Antilia, the residence of the Ambani family in Mumbai. At 47, Johnson continues to explore innovative health solutions while balancing cross-continental travel. With his busy travel schedule, he is dealing with a common health problem — jet lag. Jet lag, a common issue for such journeys, disrupts the body's internal clock, which governs numerous cellular processes. Travelling through different time zones challenges this rhythm, causing fatigue and disorientation. Hence, he took to X (formerly Twitter) where he has shared some travel hacks to deal with jet lag and make the most out of your trip.
Here are some hacks that he has been practising to lessen the jet lag. His strategies include thoughtful pre-flight preparation and in-flight habits designed to maintain physical and mental wellness during long-haul journeys.
1) Fast: Bryan avoids food, caffeine, and alcohol before and during flights. For instance, on a journey from Los Angeles to Mumbai via Singapore, he undertakes a 33-hour fast, as overeating disrupts sleep quality.
2) Immediate Sleep: Upon boarding, he informs the crew of his intention to skip meals and sleep post-takeoff, preventing disturbances during flight service.
3) Blue Light Glasses: To prepare his body for sleep, Bryan uses blue light-blocking glasses to limit exposure to bright cabin lights and screens, encouraging reading instead of digital distractions.
4) No Alcohol: He abstains from alcohol entirely, as it disrupts sleep and causes dehydration, emphasizing hydration instead.
5) Hydrate: Increased water consumption before and during flights helps combat dehydration and alleviate fatigue.
6) Sensory Control: To create a restful environment, he uses earplugs and an over-ear eye mask to block out noise and light.
7) Exercise Post-Arrival: After reaching his hotel, Bryan exercises immediately to help synchronize his circadian rhythm with the local time. This is followed by his usual breakfast, promoting adjustment and energy.

Why Managing Jet Lag Is Essential?

Jet lag occurs when your internal body clock, or circadian rhythm, becomes misaligned with the local time of your travel destination due to rapid movement across multiple time zones. Managing jet lag is crucial because it can significantly impact physical, mental, and emotional well-being, both in the short and long term.

How Can Jet Lag Take A Toll On Health?

- Sleep Disruption:
Jet lag disrupts the body's natural sleep-wake cycle, leading to insomnia, daytime fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. A study published in Nature Neuroscience highlights that disrupted circadian rhythms can impair memory and cognitive function, making it harder to perform daily tasks.
- Immune System Suppression:
Chronic sleep deprivation associated with jet lag can weaken the immune system. Research from the Journal of Immunology found that irregular sleep patterns suppress immune responses, increasing susceptibility to infections.
- Digestive Issues:
Changes in meal timing can interfere with digestion and metabolism. A study in the American Journal of Physiology revealed that circadian misalignment affects gut microbiota, leading to bloating, constipation, or diarrhoea.
- Mental Health Problems:
Prolonged jet lag may contribute to mood swings, irritability, and even depression. According to a study in Molecular Psychiatry, misaligned circadian rhythms can disrupt serotonin levels, directly influencing mood regulation.
- Risk of Chronic Illnesses:
Long-term circadian disruption has been linked to a higher risk of metabolic disorders like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. A study in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology emphasizes that repeated disruptions to the body clock increase insulin resistance and blood pressure.
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