Flying with reduced jet lag: China to Switzerland

Although it is called the 'Middle Kingdom' - when looking from Switzerland, China seems incredibly far away! The straight-line distance from Zurich to Beijing is 7982 km! No wonder then, that a journey from Switzerland to China crosses seven time zones. By the way, time zones haven't been around very long. Only in 1884 was the world map divided into 24 time zones. Previous to that, the local time was synchronised to the position of the sun. Today, every country is within a certain time zone. Without this division, the precise scheduling of trains or flights would be impossible.

China, despite its size, has just one time zone. If you are located in Urumqi one day and in Shanghai a day or two later, your clock does not need to be changed. Travelling through one or two time zones has little noticeable effect on the body which can succeed in adapting to the new local time within one day. The effects of flying over two or more time zones are much more noticeable, and this is referred to as 'jet lag'.

Travellers from Switzerland who visit Beijing, Shanghai or Hong Kong on business, or spend a few days exploring China's exotic landscape, will probably adjust pretty well to the local time. Then, however, is the issue of the time changes with the return journey to Switzerland. Only through targeted jet lag prevention can such problems as insomnia, lack of concentration, daytime fatigue and digestive problems be avoided. The reason we suffer jet lag is that the body’s internal clock goes haywire. The body’s clock follows a habitual day/night rhythm and the sleep and wake cycle, and digestive processes, are influenced by this. Additionally, the body temperature changes from morning to evening. All the time, strong signals from external factors impact these internal clocks. Should the respective day and night hours not follow consistently, then jet lag is the result.

The signals from the outside which have a marked effect on the body clock include light and darkness. For this reason we can manipulate these same factors to deal with jet lag. Thanks to the results of research, and recent technological developments, there are some travel aids which can come to our rescue. These are the Valkee 2 Human Charger Light Therapy Device, and sleeping masks. These can help your body adjust a few days before the flight, and then hep you to adjust to the new times of the day when you arrive.

How can these physical aids help on a flight from China to Switzerland?
For three days before the flight, you can expose your body to more light at certain times. To do this, use the Valkee light therapy device at night, and also go to bed around 30-60 minutes later than usual. During the flight, set your watch to the new local time, and try to take your meals at times that match this new time.

On arrival, if possible, expose yourself to more daylight in the evenings by using the Valkee 2 Light Therapy Device again. In the following days, avoid exposure to sunlight by staying indoors as much as possible, or wear a good pair of sunglasses. Each day, late in the afternoon, and well into the evening, use the Valkee 2 Light Therapy Device up to four times, for about twelve minutes each time, with intervals of two hours between use.

It is also useful to drink plenty, and water is the best choice. Avoid caffeine or alcoholic beverages if possible, and pamper your body with a healthy, low-fat diet, especially before going to bed. For more tips, and offers, get the free Valkee Jet Lag App.

What is so special about the Valkee Light Therapy Device?

It is not only small, but lightweight. Unlike other photo therapy devices, it has a robust design. The special feature of the Valkee is that light is delivered directly to the brain via the ear canal. The LEDs integrated into the ear-buds can reach an intensity of 10,000 lux. This special method of application also reduces the required treatment time to just twelve minutes and this enables the Valkee to be used, relatively simply, up to four times in one day. Moreover, it has a similar shape and size to an MP3 player, so it is easy to carry and doesn't take up much space. Now, when you return back from the 'Land of the Dawn', and are facing the first few days in Switzerland, where you are more likely to enjoy the evening light, with the Valkee 2 you have your own little equally good sun!