30 JAN 2018: Have you ever forgotten to set your alarm clock for work, but your eyes magically opened at the same time as they were supposed to? While it is not something you want to rely on, chances are, you’ve experienced the heart sinking panic of a close call. Call it routine, luck or guardian angels, science says it is our internal clock.

The fancy name is our Circadian Rhythm, the rhythm that regulates our sleep habits by triggering the signals within the body that wind us down at night and wake us up each morning.

This circadian rhythm is exactly what makes us feel so utterly out of whack when we travel through multiple time zones. All of a sudden, we’re forcing ourselves asleep when we’re otherwise awake, or even worse, forcing ourselves to wake up when we’re in the middle of sleep mode.

This jet lag can be a real party pooper.

Jet lag is defined by Merriam Webster as “a condition that is characterized by various psychological and physiological effects (such as fatigue and irritability), [and] occurs following a long flight through several time zones”. It is often suggested to plan some time to recover and re-calibrate to your new sleep cycle.

Plan some recovery time?! Europe may be beautiful wherever you are, but I refuse to stay indoors when a full itinerary of restaurants and good food awaits. But … peeling myself up off the table and being incoherent is not my idea of a good time either.

Thankfully the brute force to will the mind over body is not the only way to adapt to a new routine. We have the sophistication to override and reset our sleep rhythms – and it’s easier than you might imagine.

The secret is in the Anti-Jet Lag Fast.

As it turns out, your stomach is more than just the way to your heart. It is the master regulator that can in this case, pull the plug and reset our sleep rhythms.

Here’s how it works.

No eating on travel day for 12-16 hours before breakfast in your new time zone.

If you fast for 12-16 hours, you essentially turn off your sleep mechanisms. So, no food (yes, even those delectable peanut and snack mixes), and no alcohol or sugary drinks in flight provided you’re landing around breakfast time.

Here’s why it works.

Allow me to be dramatic for a second. It’s been a long hard day out in the woods. You’ve been on the hunt all day foraging, and to no avail. The sun is setting, and you begin to lose hope. The village, and not to mention your own survival, depends on your success in these next moments. You have no choice but to trust your instincts and push forward!

You better believe you won’t be suddenly bit by the tired bug and seek refuge for a siesta simply because it is bedtime. Survival waits for no one.

In the extended absence of food our bodies will suspend the sleepy sensations that would otherwise distract from the urgency of finding food to stay alive. When we break the fast by eating again, we reset our sleep rhythms, because now things are back to business as usual.

Even though nowadays your next meal requires only a short jaunt to the fridge, those same survival mechanisms still exist.

Fast forward to today and your upcoming trip to Europe. Say your flight is expected to land around 9:30am, counting back 12-16 hours, your last meal should be between 5 and 9 pm the night of your flight. If you are flying to a destination where you will land in the afternoon, (ie Asia) save your inflight eats to enjoy as breakfast in your destination time zone before landing.

By opting out of the inflight fare and alcoholic drinks, the Boston Medical Centre suggests, you may also opt out of the jet lag. (Let’s be honest, airplane food is generally sub-par anyhow.) But be sure to drink lots of water to stay hydrated and if you must eat something, try to reach for fruit that will digest lightly to minimally affect what you are trying to accomplish.

If this sounds a little too extreme for you, or you don’t want to be left hangry at the airport, make the most of your home court advantage.

You sleep best at home, in your bed, with your pillows. In the days leading up to your trip, start shifting your sleep schedule to your new time zone to close the gap between your current routine and the one you want to adapt to.

If you can be proactive in your flight/travel preparations by ensuring proper hydration, proper rest and perhaps fasting, I think you might be pleasantly surprised by the results. Think twice about the eats on your next flight and see if you can’t awaken the warrior within to really make the most of your next vacation adventure.