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Short Wave

Don't Let Jet Lag Ruin Your Holiday Plans

Nov 18, 2024
Jade Wu, a behavioral sleep medicine psychologist and author of Hello Sleep, shares her expertise on combating jet lag. She explains how circadian rhythms impact our sleep and overall health, especially during holiday travel. Listeners learn about the role of melatonin, debunking common myths, and discover practical tips to ease transitions across time zones. From the importance of natural light to strategic napping, Wu offers advice that can make holiday trips more enjoyable with better sleep health.
13:41

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Maintaining a regular sleep schedule is essential for aligning our internal circadian rhythms, especially when traveling across time zones.
  • Utilizing light exposure and strategic napping upon arrival can significantly mitigate jet lag symptoms and help realign our body clocks.

Deep dives

Understanding Circadian Rhythms

The human circadian rhythm typically spans about 24 hours, although some individuals may have rhythms ranging from 24.1 to 25 hours. These internal clocks help regulate sleep and wakefulness, aligning with the external day-night cycle. When there's a disruption, such as during travel or significant lifestyle changes like having a baby, these rhythms can become out of sync, leading to feelings similar to jet lag. The misalignment can then negatively impact cognitive functions, memory, and overall health.

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