There are many long-haul flights in my future, which means jet lag is also, unfortunately, in my future. While I’m pretty notorious for being able to sleep well on flights (my red eye “cocktail” is talked about in hushed, reverent tones), managing my body clock while crossing time zones isn’t always the most successful endeavor. Some days, you do have to peel yourself off a plane and grin and bear it through meetings or photo shoots, but other occasions, you are gifted with some time to engage in a bit of self-care and recover.
After a lot of trial and error, I have found a few things that work really well for me and my body. I’m sharing my ideal forms of recovery and restoration, and hope you’re inspired to give one or all of these tactics a try the next time you’re feeling run down from travel.
Re-hydration
Typically, when you drink fluids, they pass through the entire digestive system, losing water and other nutrients before your body can absorb them. While I do my best to chug as much water as I can on a flight, it doesn’t hurt to have a little help. Hydration products are a great addition to your on-flight and post-flight routine. The two brands I use most are Liquid I.V., which uses a precise ratio of sodium, glucose and potassium that allows water and other ingredients to be delivered to the bloodstream earlier on in the digestive system, and Nuun, which offers tablets that are specially formulated to support your immune system as well as fill you back up with loads of electrolytes.
A 32-pack of Liquid I.V. costs $40, and 10-tablet tube of Nuun Immunity costs $7.
Infrared Sauna
Whether you’re dealing with fatigue, muscle aches, or a build up of toxins in the body, there’s one solution that helps with all three (and a whole lot of other concerns to boot): infrared! In Boston, I like to head to the new CryoMed on Boylston Street, plug in a podcast, and sit for an hour or so. Unlike traditional saunas where the heat is swampy and hard to breathe in, this dry heat option is actually quite enjoyable, especially in Boston winters.
A 45-minute session at CryoMed costs $65.
A Detoxifying Facial
Although I have a pretty aggressive skin care routine that I do on my long haul flights, flying can wreak havoc on your skin — planes are known for having low humidity, super dry cabins, and recycled air that can dehydrate your skin, increase oil production, and exacerbate acne in all skin types. That’s why, when I land after a long trip, I schedule a facial to give my skin a bit of an overhaul. Through a combination of the Pure liquid peeling system of Alpha Beta® Acid Technology and medically proven exfoliating enzymes, the Detox Facial at Exhale in Back Bay is one of my favorites. It helps to eliminate surface dullness while dramatically improving texture and tone. Perfect for uneven, acne prone, or oily/combination skin types, this powerful detox will leave your skin glowing and nourished.
The Detox Facial at Exhale will cost $245 + tip for an hour session.
Yoga Nidra
My friend, Taryn Burns, introduced me to this deeply restorative practice that systematically guides your body + mind to rest in the state of consciousness between waking and sleeping. During this guided practice you sink deeper into relaxation your brain waves transition from Alpha to Theta to Delta, where the body is able to power down and restore. It is said that 30-45 minutes of Yoga Nidra can be as restful as 3 hours of sleep, perfect for combating jet lag!
Taryn’s 5:30pm class on Sundays at the lululemon Studio on Newbury street costs $25.
IV Nutritional Therapy
By far the most effective method to bounce back after lots of travel for me has been IV therapy. Bypassing the digestive system is the main advantage of IV nutrition because many substances may be rendered inactive in the digestive tract, or may not be well absorbed due to poor intestinal function. This method allows an immediate therapeutic response by correcting the deficiencies and optimizing cellular function. I always make sure to get a “push” of glutathione at the end of my sessions, as well. It is an antioxidant naturally in our bodies, that decreases with age and stress. Its function as an antioxidant means it donates electrons to quench free radicals, ultimately protecting cells. Glutathione protects cells of many types, especially the skin, and is the foundation for the main detoxification pathway in the liver, kidneys, lungs, intestinal lining, and other organs. Some people get IV glutathione as often as bi-weekly, but doesn’t need to be taken regularly to be effective.
My favorite IV Vitamin infusion plus antioxidant injection at CryoMed costs $300.
Yes, the large majority of these tactics costs a pretty penny, but in my experience, they have been worth it with my busy work schedule, and have allowed me to optimize the days following long-haul travel. Do you have any strategies to help with fighting jet lag? Let me know in the comments.
Venture travelist 
Great post 😁