If you are traveling to a different time zone, you may want to consider packing some melatonin in your bag.
Jet lag can definitely eat up some of your precious vacation time or make it difficult to adjust on your way home. I remember traveling to Vancouver from Moncton a few years ago. To go, it didn’t take me much time to adjust, but on the way back, it took me a couple of weeks to adjust.
Melatonin is quite helpful to adjust to a new time zone, especially if you’re traveling east, either on your way to your destination or when you come home, depending on where you are traveling to. This can also be helpful for time changes, especially when the clock moves forward.
The Protocol:
Take melatonin close to your desired bedtime at your destination for 1 to 2 weeks until your are adjusted. The dose ranges from 0.5mg to 5mg - if you take too much for your body, you will feel groggy in the morning. It doesn’t seem to be effective for jet lag at a dose higher than 5mg, so leave your 10mg tablets at home.
Bonus tip when traveling to a different time zone: Try walking barefoot or laying on the grass when you arrive. This grounding exercise can be helpful for your body to adjust to your new location!
Reference: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12076414/ Herxheimer. Melatonin for the prevention and treatment of jet lag. 2002.