Jet Lag Light Therapy Lamp Benefits
(The information below is about light therapy lamps for jet lag. Please see our main light therapy page if you’re looking for information on light therapy for seasonal affective disorder)
Travelling across the globe can really wreak havoc on your daily rhythm. When arriving in a new time zone, it takes a while for your body to adapt to the new local clock and it's common that your circadian rhythm can be thrown off.
The severity of jet lag often depends upon the number of time zones you cross and the direction you’re travelling. Eastward travel poses the greater challenge as it requires adapting to a shorter day when aligning with the new local time, rather than extending the day when we travel westward.
This time clock disruption can lead to various physical and mental effects like insomnia, drowsiness, physical and mental tiredness (reduced ability to think clearly, make decisions, and solve problems), mood issues (increased irritability or anxiety) and difficulty concentrating.
Long flights directly north or south don’t involve extreme changes in time but the process of travelling and the associated disruptions to sleep can still result in severe fatigue upon arrival.
Benefits of Light Therapy Lamp Use for Jet Lag Recovery
Light therapy lamps offer several benefits in managing jet lag, making it an essential tool for health and wellness when travelling. It’s a natural method to reduce jet lag symptoms, so you’ll adapt to the new time zone faster. It provides a positive impact in the following areas:
Improved Sleep Quality
Regulating your circadian rhythm through controlled light exposure, a light therapy lamp helps you fall asleep more easily and maintain a restful night's sleep. Quality sleep also has a positive impact on your immune system, mood, and cognitive function. You'll be less prone to disturbances like frequent awakenings and have less difficulty staying asleep.
Increased Alertness and Boosted Energy Levels
Exposure to a bright light therapy lamp stimulates the production of cortisol, a hormone that promotes wakefulness and alertness so you’ll be more energized and focused throughout your trip.
Faster Adjustment to New Time Zones
One of the most compelling reasons to use a bright light therapy lamp is its ability to speed your adjustment to new time zones. By strategically affecting your circadian rhythm, a light therapy lamp helps your body adapt more quickly to the local time, reducing the duration and severity of jet lag. You’ll enjoy smoother transitions and a more seamless travel experience.
How a Light Therapy Lamp Combats Jet Lag
Adapting to a new time requires a reset of your body clock. A light therapy lamp simulates natural sunlight, the primary regulator of circadian rhythm. Expose yourself to a bright light therapy lamp at strategic times and you’ll help your body adjust more quickly to the new time zone. The light tells your brain it's time to wake up and be alert.
How to Use a Light Therapy Lamp for Jet Lag
To maximize the effectiveness of a light therapy lamp, tailor the timing and duration of light exposure to your specific travel plan. If you are traveling eastward, use the light therapy lamp in the morning to advance your body clock. This helps delay your body's natural sleep cycle, so you adjust to the earlier time zone. If heading west, an evening exposure to the light therapy lamp helps delay your internal clock, aligning it with the new time zone. Use the light therapy lamp at the start of the afternoon (ideally between 12 and 3) to help delay sleepiness and align your biological clock with the new time zone.
Best Light Therapy Lamp Suggestions Before Your Flight
One method of reducing jet lag is to shift your body clock to the destination time zone before you fly. Use the light therapy lamp before departure and upon arrival at your destination. One solution would be to use your light therapy lamp in the evening, 2 hours before sleep for 2 nights before you depart and shift your bedtime by a couple hours for those two nights. Continue to use the light therapy lamp before bed for the first 3 evenings after you arrive. Even partially adapting yourself before you fly will reduce the number of days and severity of jet lag symptoms.
We’d love to help you discover the best light therapy lamps for your next vacation or business trip.
Our locations across Canada can show you a variety of desk lamps and travel lamps to give you the best benefit.
Please use the form to reach out and we’ll connect you to your nearest store for assistance.