These cutting-edge anti-jet lag devices use light to help kick start the body and mind when passing through time zones.
Travelling to the ends of the earth in search of new and unexplored horizons is great, but there is often a little unexpected travel companion that always manages to make long-haul travel a drag. Jet lag affects everyone differently but common symptoms include drowsiness, irritability, lack of concentration and a poor night’s sleep.
According to the Mayo Clinic, jet lag can occur anytime you cross two or more time zones and occurs because crossing multiple time zones, on a long-haul flight, for example, puts your internal clock or circadian rhythms, which regulates your sleep-wake cycle, out of sync with the time in your new locale.
For example, if you leave New York on a flight at 4 p.m. on Tuesday and arrive in Paris at 7 a.m. Wednesday, your internal clock still thinks it’s 1 a.m. That means you’re ready for bed just as Parisians are waking up.
And because it takes a few days for your body to adjust, your sleep-wake cycle, along with most other body functions, such as hunger and bowel habits, remains out of step with the rest of Paris.
While there are things you can do to combat jet lag, including getting plenty of sleep before you travel, trying to sync your sleep time to the destination before you travel, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol, there are also some pretty interesting technological solutions that use the power of light – which our brains use to sync our sleep patterns – to help keep jet lag at bay. Here are some of our favorite light-powered jet lag cures.
A light therapy device made to enhance the body’s overall energy levels, the HumanCharger helps
fight jet lag, improve mood, and bolster mental health by giving the body the ‘sunlight’ it needs.
Small and easy-to-use, the device activates the brain’s light-sensitive areas with UV-free white
illumination, which is directed through the ear canals via a pair of LEDSet earplugs. With a short
12-minute daily therapy time and a 12-treatment battery life, the rechargeable pocket-sized device
is durable and efficient. An app tracks your travels and notifies you when it’s time for another session.
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Another essential designed to provide the brain with effective light therapy, Luminette is a lightweight, foldable device that resembles a futuristic visor. Featuring three levels of blue-enriched white light, which mimics the effects of the sun and regulates the body’s biological clock, Luminette helps improve sleep quality while reducing the effects of travelling across time zones, including insomnia, drowsiness, and mental exhaustion. Complemented by a dedicated mobile app, MyLuminette, the device also provides practical advice specifically suited for flights and can be charged via micro-USB for on the go use.
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Part smart eye mask, part sleep advisor, the Neuroon by Inteliclinic is a travel essential that analyses your brainwaves during sleep while applying bright light therapy through built-in LED bulbs to help improve sleep efficiency when passing through time zones. The mask’s therapy modes are designed for various times of the day and include the Jet Lag Blocker, which helps the body adapt to the time zone of your destination. With the Bluetooth-connected app, users can keep track of their sleeping schedule and get tips for achieving a better night’s rest.
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