Jet Lag and Travel Exhaustion Prevention Strategies

The holidays are upon us, and that means for many people, it’s travel time! While we are eager to spend time with our family and friends, most of us are not looking forward to the challenges associated with adjusting to the time change, feeling tired, and contracting colds and flu from exposure to throngs of people. 

Here are some simple and effective tips to help you minimize the effects of jet lag, boost your immune system, and have the energy to enjoy your holidays with your loved ones.

Before Your Trip 

Reset Your Inner Clock

Begin adjusting your sleep schedule one to three days before travel to adjust to the destination time zone (earlier for eastbound travel, later for westbound travel). Eat meals closer to your destination’s time to start training your body’s circadian rhythm.

Strengthen Your Qi Energy

Practice 8 minutes of Foundation Qi Gong in the morning and evening to stabilize your energy. Avoid consuming heavy foods, alcohol, and eating late at night the day before travel.

Hydrate + Mineralize

Start the day before with electrolytes, magnesium, potassium, and plenty of water.

During the Flight

Support Your Body

Be sure to bring a comfortable eye mask, earplugs, and a neck pillow. If it’s daytime at your destination during the flight, stay awake and avoid sleeping. If it’s nighttime at your destination during the flight, try to sleep, even if only briefly.

Breath Reset (2 minutes)

Inhale five counts, exhale eight counts. This activates the parasympathetic system, calms heart rate, and grounds your Shen spirit.

Move Every 1–2 Hours

Walk the aisle, stretch your ankles and calves, rotate your shoulders, and open your chest. Here’s a 3-minute qi gong stretch that you can do in your seat.

Light Meals, Warm Drinks

Prefer warm water or tea; avoid cold drinks that weaken your digestive fire. Eat lightly. Opt for whole grains and vegetables. Avoid high-protein or heavy, rich meals, as they can disrupt digestion and sleep cycles.

Upon Arrival

Get Sunlight Immediately

10–20 minutes of morning sunlight resets your pineal gland and reduces melatonin suppression.

Stand barefoot on the earth or grass for 2–3 minutes, if possible, to ground yourself. 

Take a gentle 20–30 minute walk.

Qi Gong to Synchronize

Practice Foundation Qi Gong to align your circadian Qi flow.

Eat with the Local Clock

Have your meals at local times to anchor your Stomach–Spleen rhythm. Keep meals warm and easy to digest for the first 24 hours.

Power Nap Wisely

Limit nap time to 20–30 minutes; avoid sleeping if arrival is near bedtime.

Herbal and Supplement Support for Jet Lag and Immunity

Jet Lag Refresh contains an adaptogen herb to help your body adapt to changes in time and environment. Take on the day of travel and the day after. 

Calm Formula helps calm your Shen spirit, soothe anxiety before and during travel.

Sleep Formula herbs help you quickly restore your sleep rhythm.

Magnesium supports natural melatonin cycles without grogginess.

Immunity Formula protects the immune system (defensive Wei Qi) during crowded travel and exposure.

Acupressure Points to Reset Energy and Promote Balance

Taiyang (Great Yang), located at the temples, relieves headaches and facial tension.

K1 (Bubbling Spring), located on the soles of your feet, grounds your Qi energy after long flights.

P6 (Inner Gate), located above your inner wrist on your forearm, settles nausea and motion sensitivity and soothes travel anxiety. 

Press each point gently and hold pressure for 60–90 seconds, both sides.

Discover these and other acupressure points on the go with the Secrets of Longevity: Acupressure Healing downloadable eBook.

Here’s to your safe, enjoyable, and healthy travels! Cheers!