Jet lag – the traveler’s worst enemy. You’ve crossed time zones, but your body still thinks it’s back home, begging for a nap while you’re wide awake at midnight! But worry not tired traveler, the natural wonder – essential oils – is here for you.
Jet Lag Explained
Jet lag or jet lag disorder happens when your body’s internal clock gets out of sync or out of rythym with the time zone you’re in. This happens because you’ve traveled quickly across several time zones, and your body needs time to adjust. The result? You might feel tired, groggy, or find it hard to sleep at the right times. It’s like your body is still on a different time zone while your mind is trying to catch up!
Benefits of Essential Oils to Naturally Help Jet Lag
Essential oils (plant extracts) can be a wonderful, natural remedy to help minimize the effects of jet lag. Here are some of the key benefits:
Promotes Better Sleep
Essential oils like lavender and chamomile help you relax, making it easier to fall asleep, even when your body clock is off. Quality sleep is crucial to reset your internal clock and reduce jet lag symptoms.
Eases Stress and Anxiety
Traveling, especially long-haul flights, can be stressful. Essential oils like peppermint and frankincense help calm your mind and reduce stress, helping you adjust more easily to your new time zone.
Boosts Energy Levels
After a long flight, you may feel drained. Energizing oils like lemon and eucalyptus can help boost your energy, promote mental clarity, and reduce fatigue. But, do not diffuse citrus oils before sleeping.
Improves Circulation: Certain essential oils, such as ginger and rosemary, are known to improve circulation and reduce the heaviness or stiffness that often accompanies long flights, helping you feel more refreshed.
Supports Immune System
Travel exposes you to germs and can weaken your immune system. Essential oils like tea tree and eucalyptus have antibacterial and antiviral properties that can support your body’s defenses during this time.
Using essential oils during your journey can make the transition much smoother, helping you feel more comfortable and rested. Essential oil blends also ease jet lag.
Best Essential Oils to Naturally Help Jet Lag
Jet lag can throw off your body’s rhythm, leaving you feeling exhausted, irritable, and out of sync. The good news is that essential oils can be a natural and effective way to help ease the symptoms of jet lag and help your body adjust more smoothly to a new time zone. Below are some essential oils that can help with everything from promoting better sleep to boosting your energy levels.
1. Lavender Essential Oil
- Benefit: Lavender is widely known for its calming properties. It helps to relax the mind and body, making it easier to fall asleep and get quality rest.
- How It Helps Jet Lag: Lavender promotes relaxation and deep sleep, which is essential for resetting your body’s internal clock after a long flight.
- When to Use: Use before bedtime or during moments of restlessness to promote a peaceful, undisturbed sleep.
2. Peppermint Essential Oil
- Benefit: Peppermint is refreshing and revitalizing. It stimulates the mind and boosts energy.
- How It Helps Jet Lag: This essential oil can help wake you up if you’re feeling tired or sluggish after your flight. It also relieves headaches, a common symptom of jet lag.
- When to Use: Use during the day when you need an energy boost or to relieve any discomfort like headaches.
3. Frankincense Essential Oil
- Benefit: Frankincense has grounding and soothing properties, which help reduce stress and anxiety.
- How It Helps Jet Lag: After a long flight, it’s easy to feel mentally and emotionally drained. Frankincense helps calm the nervous system and promotes emotional stability.
- When to Use: Diffuse in your room or apply a few drops to pulse points when you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed.
4. Eucalyptus Essential Oil
- Benefit: Eucalyptus is known for its ability to clear the mind and promote deep breathing.
- How It Helps Jet Lag: This essential oil helps refresh and open up the respiratory system, making it easier to breathe deeply and feel more alert after travel.
- When to Use: Diffuse or apply to your chest if you’re feeling congested or fatigued after a long flight.
5. Lemon Essential Oil
- Benefit: Lemon is an energizing and uplifting oil, known for its ability to refresh the mind and body.
- How It Helps Jet Lag: Lemon essential oil helps combat the tiredness and mental fog often experienced after traveling across time zones. It promotes mental clarity and sharpens focus.
- When to Use: Diffuse in the morning to help start your day or inhale directly when you need to clear your mind.
6. Chamomile Essential Oil
- Benefit: Chamomile is a gentle yet effective oil that calms the nervous system and promotes relaxation.
- How It Helps Jet Lag: It can help you unwind and get restful sleep, making it easier to adjust to a new time zone.
- When to Use: Apply to the bottom of your feet before bed to promote deep, restorative sleep.
7. Rosemary Essential Oil
- Benefit: Rosemary has invigorating and stimulating properties, helping to improve circulation and mental clarity.
- How It Helps Jet Lag: Rosemary helps reduce mental fatigue and improves alertness, making it ideal if you’re feeling foggy after travel.
- When to Use: Diffuse in the morning or use it topically when you need an energy boost.
8. Tea Tree Essential Oil
- Benefit: Tea tree oil is known for its immune-boosting and purifying properties.
- How It Helps Jet Lag: After traveling, your immune system might be a bit weaker. Tea tree oil supports your body’s defenses against germs and helps maintain overall wellness.
- When to Use: Diffuse during your flight or when you reach your destination to keep your immune system strong.
Here’s a table summarizing essential oils and their benefits for jet lag:
| Essential Oil | Benefits for Jet Lag | Best Time to Use |
| Lavender | Promotes relaxation, reduces stress, aids sleep | Before bed or after arrival |
| Peppermint | Boosts energy, clears mental fog, relieves fatigue | Morning or during the day |
| Lemon | Refreshes, improves alertness, supports mental clarity | Morning or midday |
| Frankincense | Reduces stress, enhances mood, improves focus and mental clarity | Throughout the day |
| Chamomile | Calms the body, improves sleep quality, reduces anxiety | Before bed or during rest |
| Bergamot | Reduces stress, uplifts mood, helps with anxiety | Morning or after travel |
| Rosemary | Boosts focus, reduces mental fatigue, improves circulation | Daytime or when tired |
| Clary Sage | Calms nerves, promotes relaxation, reduces tension | Before bed or after arrival |
| Eucalyptus | Clears congestion, refreshes the mind, energizes | Morning or midday |
These oils help with different aspects of jet lag, from improving sleep to enhancing focus and alertness. You can choose based on your specific symptoms and time of day.
How to Use Essential Oils for Jet Lag
1. Diffusion
- The easiest way to use essential oils for jet lag is by diffusing them in your room. Use an essential oil diffuser to release calming, energizing, or refreshing aromas that can ease the transition to a new time zone.
2. Direct Inhalation
- If you’re feeling foggy or sluggish, inhale a drop of essential oil directly from the bottle or apply it to a handkerchief or cotton ball. This method provides a quick boost when you need it.
3. Topical Application
- Apply essential oils diluted with a carrier oil (like coconut or jojoba) to your pulse points, temples, or neck to benefit from their soothing effects. Avoid applying undiluted oils directly to the skin.
4. Bath Soak
- A relaxing bath infused with your favorite calming essential oils, such as lavender or chamomile, can help reduce stress and improve sleep quality, helping your body adjust to a new time zone.
DIY Recipes with Essential Oils to Naturally Help Jet Lag
Here are 3 DIY recipes with essential oils to help naturally alleviate jet lag:
1. Jet Lag Relief Roll-On
Ingredients:
- 10 drops of Lavender Essential Oil or geranium oil
- 10 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil
- 10 drops of Lemon Essential Oil
- 1 tablespoon of Fractionated Coconut Oil (or Jojoba Oil)
- 10 ml Roll-on Bottle
Instructions:
- Add the essential oils to the roll-on bottle.
- Fill the rest of the bottle with fractionated coconut oil.
- Close the bottle and shake well to mix.
- Apply to your pulse points (wrists, temples, neck) whenever you feel jet lagged, stressed, or fatigued. It is good for holistic wellbeing as well.
2. Restful Sleep Diffuser Blend
Ingredients:
- 4 drops of Lavender Essential Oil
- 3 drops of Frankincense Essential Oil
- 2 drops of Chamomile Essential Oil
Instructions:
- Add the essential oils into your diffuser filled with water according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Diffuse in the bedroom before bedtime or when you’re trying to wind down after a long flight.
- Let the calming aromas help you relax and ease into a restful sleep, reducing jet lag.
3. Energizing Morning Mist
Ingredients:
- 6 drops of Lemon Essential Oil
- 4 drops of Rosemary Essential Oil
- 1 tablespoon of Witch Hazel or Vodka (to emulsify the oils)
- 2 oz. Water (distilled or purified)
- Small Spray Bottle
Instructions:
- Add the essential oils and witch hazel (or vodka) to the spray bottle.
- Fill the bottle with water and shake well.
- Spray on your face and body in the morning or whenever you’re feeling fatigued from jet lag.
- The refreshing blend will boost your energy and clear mental fog, helping you feel more awake and alert.
These simple recipes help with both relaxation and energy, targeting the common symptoms of jet lag such as sleep disruption, fatigue, and stress.
Precautions Using Essential Oils to Naturally Help Jet Lag
Here are three important precautions to keep in mind when using essential oils for jet lag:
- Always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil (like coconut or jojoba oil) before applying them to the skin. You do not want skin issues with your jet lag.
- Overuse of essential oils, especially stimulating ones like peppermint or rosemary, can lead to headaches or feelings of dizziness. Strong scents may exacerbate the jet lag.
- Avoid inhaling essential oils directly from the bottle, especially for potent oils like eucalyptus or peppermint.
Conclusion
Essential oils can be a natural and effective way to alleviate the symptoms of jet lag. With their ability to balance energy, promote relaxation, and restore the body’s natural rhythm, oils like lavender, peppermint, and chamomile offer a soothing remedy for travel-related fatigue. With these oils (whether through diffusion, topical application, or aromatherapy) you may feel refreshed and ready to adjust to your new time zone with ease.