LIVING WELL “ you’re
LIVING WELL “ you’re All jet lag isn’t equal. It can be impacted by the direction of travel, how many time zones crossing JULIAN RENTZSCH Dr Greg Vanichkachorn is part of the Aerospace Medicine programme at Mayo Clinic. He and his team can provide specialty consultations to NetJets Owners as part of Mayo Clinic’s Executive Health programme. Dr Vanichkachorn thinks so, admitting, “Spending a long time in a commercial aircraft isn’t really the greatest thing in the world.” More than the discomfort, he says, the atmosphere inside the cabin can be unhealthy for some people. “The air isn’t pressurised to sea level, so it’s like sitting on a mountain at 2,500m. This can be problematic for those with underlying lung disease or breathing issues.” He also says the atmosphere in some aircraft cabins can be dry due to altitude and could lead to dehydration when flying long distances. Private air travel usually includes pressurising cabins to a lower altitude than commercial aircraft, decreasing the effects of fatigue and dehydration. The flexibility of flying by private jet means you can choose exactly when you take off and where from, offering more travel planning options to lessen symptoms of jet lag. Plus, private air travel is more comfortable due to more space and less noise within the cabin than a commercial flight, making it easier to rest while traveling and, depending on the time difference, helping to minimise effects of jet lag. Another perk of private jet travel, according to Dr. Vanichkachorn, is the ability to better regulate light and temperature, adding to your comfort and allowing for better strategic light exposure. While flying privately with NetJets can be helpful for lessening the effects of jet lag disorder, Dr Vanichkachorn has a few other tips to banish jet lag from your travel experience. - Use light exposure strategically. Being exposed to sunlight helps reset your internal clock, and it’s the most powerful natural tool for regulating the sleep-wake cycle. Morning light exposure can usually help you adjust to an earlier time zone after travelling east. Evening light helps you adapt to a later time zone after traveling west. This helps with circadian rhythm and melatonin production, both of which help to get on a day/night schedule. Sunglasses can help with blocking light when you’re trying to reset your internal clock. - Use melatonin to initiate a new sleep cycle but do so sparingly. Dr Vanichkachorn says most people need only 3-5mg. - Start your adjustment process a few days before travelling. Dr. Vanichkachorn says there are several apps available that can help preemptively shift circadian rhythms. - Take care of yourself on your way to your destination. Drink plenty of water, even in the days before your flight, to avoid dehydration. MAYO CLINIC AND NETJETS NetJets is excited to partner with the Mayo Clinic Executive Health Program to bring expert medical, health, and wellness content that matters to you. With a focus on preventive health and wellness with timely, coordinated access to multidisciplinary care, including advanced diagnostics, state-of-the-art prevention strategies, and therapeutics, the Mayo Clinic Executive Health Program provides individualized, comprehensive care to meet the unique needs of business leaders in the demanding stages of their careers. The QR code will lead you to more thorough information about this world-class program, and your Mayo Clinic Executive Health liaison for NetJets Owners will be happy to answer your questions. 40 NetJets
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