A Unique Method We Tried To Fight Jet Lag And It Left Us Feeling Fresh

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Traveling to far-flung destinations can often leave you facing the dreaded jet lag, but there’s a refreshing method to counter this travel woe. In our latest article, “A Unique Method We Tried To Fight Jet Lag And It Left Us Feeling Fresh,” Kaitlyn Rosati shares her personal experience of overcoming post-travel fatigue using a combination of a luxurious massage and aromatherapy at Exhale Spa NYC. After an exhausting journey across multiple time zones, this innovative approach helped her bounce back quicker than expected. While the exact remedy remains a blend of factors, the introduction of detox essential oils and a specialized massage played a pivotal role in restoring her vitality. Explore this delightful way to rejuvenate, ensuring your next trip doesn’t leave you yearning for your regular sleep schedule. Have you ever returned from an international trip and found yourself completely out of sync with your local time? The dreaded jet lag can turn a delightful trip into an exhausting ordeal. But what if there was a way to reset your internal clock and bounce back faster than usual? We did some experimenting and are excited to share a unique method we tried to fight jet lag, and spoiler alert—it left us feeling fresh.

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Understanding Jet Lag

Before diving into our unique method, it’s essential to understand what jet lag is and why it happens. Jet lag occurs when your body’s internal clock, also known as the circadian rhythm, is disrupted by crossing multiple time zones. This misalignment can lead to a variety of symptoms, such as:

Fatigue and tiredness
Cognitive impairment
Disrupted sleep patterns
Digestive issues
Mood changes

Calculating Jet Lag Recovery Time

A general rule of thumb is that it takes about one day to recover for each time zone crossed. So, if you flew from New York City to Paris, crossing six time zones, you could expect it to take around six days for your body to adjust fully.

Destination	Time Zones Crossed	Estimated Recovery Time
New York to Paris	6	6 days
Los Angeles to Tokyo	8	8 days
Sydney to London	10	10 days

My Jet-Setting Adventure

I recently returned from a whirlwind two-month trip that took me through Italy, Georgia, Armenia, and South Africa, finally ending in Zambia. The homeward journey itself was a marathon:

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe to Johannesburg, South Africa (2-hour flight)
Johannesburg to Doha, Qatar (8-hour flight, 5-hour layover)
Doha to JFK in New York City (15-hour flight, 2-hour layover)

With such extensive travel, I braced myself for the inevitable jet lag once I got back to New York.

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The Unique Method: Aromatherapy at Exhale Spa NYC

What is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is a form of holistic therapy and alternative medicine that involves using essential oils to promote health and well-being. These oils can be inhaled or applied to the skin, and they are believed to offer several benefits, including:

Stress relief
Mood enhancement
Improved sleep

The Experimental Setup

Given my strenuous travel, I decided to treat myself to a staycation at Virgin Hotels New York. The plan was to book a spa appointment at Exhale Spa NYC as soon as I returned. I aimed to test whether aromatherapy could indeed help mitigate jet lag symptoms.

My Spa Experience

At Exhale Spa NYC, I opted for a full-body massage called “the flow.” This treatment focuses on:

Opening locked muscles
Freeing energy blockages
Relieving tension through lymphatic drainage

I had three essential oil options:

Detox: Charcoal and citrus
Revive: Lavender and sunflower
Restore: Lavender and sandalwood

Given the travel grime and a few glasses of in-flight wine, I chose the detox essential oils.

The Outcome

The massage itself was one of the best I’ve ever had. The skilled masseuse used just the right amount of pressure, turning me from a tense mess into a relaxed liquid state. But the critical question remains: Did the aromatherapy help fight my jet lag?

Jet Lag Cured: A Perfect Storm

Evaluating the Results

Interestingly, I began to feel like myself again much sooner than expected. According to the typical recovery calculation, I should have needed about six days to get back to normal. Instead, I felt nearly adjusted within three days. My sleep schedule normalized quickly, except for waking up slightly earlier than usual—a possible holdover from early-morning game drives during the trip.

Factors That Contributed to Recovery

It’s difficult to pinpoint what helped the most in overcoming jet lag. Here are some possibilities:

Aromatherapy: The essential oils might have contributed to quicker recovery.
Staying Awake: Forcing myself to stay awake during the last flight likely helped reset my internal clock.
Comfortable Accommodation: The incredibly comfortable bed and 14 hours of sleep at Virgin Hotels New York were invaluable.
The Massage: The overall relaxation and lymphatic drainage undoubtedly aided my recovery.

A Holistic Approach

I suspect it was a combination of all these factors—a perfect storm, if you will—that helped me bounce back so quickly. While I can’t guarantee that aromatherapy alone will conquer jet lag, it certainly played a notable role in my recovery process.

Other Tips and Tricks for Beating Jet Lag

Pre-Travel Preparations

Gradual Adjustment: Slowly adjust your sleep schedule to match your destination’s time zone a few days before departure.
Healthy Lifestyle: Maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and avoid excessive caffeine or alcohol.
Hydration: Staying well-hydrated can make your body better equipped to handle time zone changes.

In-Flight Strategies

Move Around: Get up and walk around the cabin periodically to keep your blood flowing.
Hydrate: Drink plenty of water during the flight.
Sleep Aids: Use a neck pillow, sleep mask, and earplugs to get quality sleep during your flight.

Post-Arrival Tips

Sunlight Exposure: Spend time outside in natural sunlight to help reset your internal clock.
Light Exercise: Engage in light physical activities like walking or yoga.
Lift Off on Naps: While it might be tempting to nap, try to stay awake until the evening of your destination’s local time.

Conclusion

So, next time you find yourself facing a brutal case of jet lag, consider treating yourself to a little aromatherapy and a luxurious massage. While it’s not a silver bullet, it could very well be part of a winning combination to help you recover faster. The revitalizing powers of essential oils, combined with a bit of self-care and relaxation, might be just what you need to feel fresh and ready to conquer the world again.

And remember, no recovery method is one-size-fits-all. It’s about finding what works best for you. For me, a combination of aromatherapy, good sleep, and a fantastic massage made all the difference. Happy travels, and may jet lag be a thing of the past!

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