Jet lag making me feel terrible, what can Ayurveda do to help? - #16518

Jet lag can definitely affect your digestion and overall energy, as it disrupts your body’s natural rhythms, including Agni (digestive fire). Ayurveda suggests balancing Vata dosha, which governs movement and rhythms in the body, to help manage jet lag. To reset your body clock, try drinking warm water with a pinch of ginger and lemon upon waking to stimulate digestion and circulation. Turmeric milk before bed can indeed help promote restful sleep due to its calming and anti-inflammatory properties, but it’s more for general sleep issues than jet lag specifically. Eating light, easily digestible meals like kichari or soups will help soothe your digestion and prevent bloating. You could also try gentle oil massages with sesame oil to calm the nervous system and reduce fatigue. Breathing exercises like deep, slow diaphragmatic breathing can help restore balance and ease anxiety. Finally, try to avoid caffeine and heavy meals late in the day to support your sleep cycle.

Jet lag disrupts the body's natural rhythm, leading to sleep disturbances, digestive issues, and mental fog, all of which indicate a Vata imbalance in Ayurveda. Since Vata governs movement and travel, long flights cause dryness, irregular digestion, and restlessness. To reset your body clock, Ayurveda emphasizes grounding foods, herbal remedies, and daily routines that calm Vata and restore balance. Drinking warm turmeric milk with nutmeg before bed supports deep sleep, while Ashwagandha or Brahmi tea helps reduce anxiety and fatigue. Digestion is often disturbed due to travel, causing bloating, sluggish metabolism, and hunger at odd times. To restore gut balance, Triphala (½ tsp in warm water at night) can help regulate digestion, while warm ginger tea boosts circulation and eases discomfort. Eating light, warm meals like khichdi, soups, and steamed vegetables will be easier on the stomach. Avoiding cold, dry, or processed foods prevents further Vata aggravation and speeds up recovery. Ayurvedic self-care practices can also help you feel grounded and refreshed. Abhyanga (oil massage) with warm sesame oil before a bath nourishes Vata, relieves travel fatigue, and promotes relaxation. Pranayama (breathing exercises) like Anulom Vilom (alternate nostril breathing) and Bhramari (humming breath) calm the nervous system and reduce brain fog. Morning sunlight exposure for at least 15 minutes is essential to help reset your body’s internal clock naturally. For future travel, preparing with grounding foods, staying hydrated with herbal teas, and doing a light oil massage before flying can minimize jet lag. Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and avoiding excessive caffeine will also make the adjustment easier. By following these Ayurvedic remedies, diet tips, and relaxation techniques, your body will sync with the new time zone faster.