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 can truly throw a wrench in your system, especially when crossing major time zones like from New York to India. According to Ayurveda, every disruption—like jet lag—is viewed through the lens of balancing your doshas, particularly Vata, which can become aggravated due to travel. This leads to that sense of anxiety, disrupted sleep, and sluggish digestion you’re experiencing.

For starters, your mom’s suggestion of warm milk with turmeric is a lovely one. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties and, when combined with warm milk, can help promote restfulness. Try drinking it before bed. It might not be a magic wand for jet lag, but it does support relaxation.

Apart from that, holding your meals consistent can help reset your internal body clock. Start with lighter, easily digestible meals, especially around flight days. Think of lukewarm, simple foods like khichdi. If you’re tempted by heavy meals, they could make the sluggish feeling worse! Drink warm water throughout the day as that’s good Vata pacifier.

Abhyanga, or oil massage, can soothe your energy and help with that exhaustion. Warm sesame oil is ideal. Massage it into your skin before a warm shower. This practice calms Vata and helps the body feel more grounded. Make sure your head and feet especially get that massage love!

Breathing exercises? Definitely! Opt for Nadi Shodhana, also called alternate nostril breathing. This will balance the energies and possibly ease that foggy mind. Doing this for 5–10 minutes daily can help center you, especially in the morning or when you’re particularly anxious.

Don’t underestimate the power of sync with the sun. Spending time in sunlight during the day can stabilize your circadian rhythms. With another flight looming, start adjusting your sleeping schedule a few days prior—gradually adjusting your bedtime by two hours closer to your destination time zone.

Finally, it’s about being kind to your body. Promote sleep by setting a calming bedtime routine and limit caffeine, especially late afternoons. Yoga Nidra or deep relaxation could also support better sleep. Each body’s different, so listen, tweak, and adjust these suggestions as needed!