Jet Lag Advice in London
Jet Lag Advice in London
Jet Lag Advice in London
Flying long-haul from London? Get practical jet lag advice on sleep timing, light exposure and melatonin options at Kensington Clinics.
Flying long-haul from London? Get practical jet lag advice on sleep timing, light exposure and melatonin options at Kensington Clinics.
Flying long-haul from London? Get practical jet lag advice on sleep timing, light exposure and melatonin options at Kensington Clinics.
Travel health advice
Jet Lag
Jet Lag
Spread by
Crossing time zones
Consultations are £25 and redeemable against any vaccine course on the day. Same-week appointments available for most travellers.
Consultations are £25 and redeemable against any vaccine course on the day. Same-week appointments available for most travellers.
Long-haul travel is easier when your body clock is planned for
Long-haul travel is easier when your body clock is planned for
Long-haul travel is easier when your body clock is planned for
Jet lag is not a vaccine problem, but it is a travel health problem patients ask about often. If you are flying across several time zones for work, family or a short holiday, a poor first week can matter. Kensington Clinics in London can talk through practical jet lag planning, including sleep timing, light exposure, medicines where appropriate, and how to avoid making the first few days harder than they need to be.
Jet lag is not a vaccine problem, but it is a travel health problem patients ask about often. If you are flying across several time zones for work, family or a short holiday, a poor first week can matter. Kensington Clinics in London can talk through practical jet lag planning, including sleep timing, light exposure, medicines where appropriate, and how to avoid making the first few days harder than they need to be.
Jet lag is not a vaccine problem, but it is a travel health problem patients ask about often. If you are flying across several time zones for work, family or a short holiday, a poor first week can matter. Kensington Clinics in London can talk through practical jet lag planning, including sleep timing, light exposure, medicines where appropriate, and how to avoid making the first few days harder than they need to be.
A body clock dragged across time zones
A body clock dragged across time zones
A body clock dragged across time zones
Jet lag happens when your internal body clock is out of step with the local time at your destination. It is not contagious and it is not caught from a plane cabin. The problem is circadian rhythm: sleep, temperature, digestion, alertness and hormones are still running on the time you left behind. The usual pattern is familiar. You may wake at 3am in New York, feel wiped out during an afternoon meeting in Singapore, or find your stomach wants breakfast while everyone else is ordering dinner. Symptoms can include poor sleep, daytime tiredness, reduced concentration, headache, stomach upset and irritability. Eastbound travel often feels tougher because you are asking the body to sleep earlier than usual, although westbound trips can still ruin the first few mornings. Crossing three or more time zones is where planning starts to pay off.
Jet lag happens when your internal body clock is out of step with the local time at your destination. It is not contagious and it is not caught from a plane cabin. The problem is circadian rhythm: sleep, temperature, digestion, alertness and hormones are still running on the time you left behind. The usual pattern is familiar. You may wake at 3am in New York, feel wiped out during an afternoon meeting in Singapore, or find your stomach wants breakfast while everyone else is ordering dinner. Symptoms can include poor sleep, daytime tiredness, reduced concentration, headache, stomach upset and irritability. Eastbound travel often feels tougher because you are asking the body to sleep earlier than usual, although westbound trips can still ruin the first few mornings. Crossing three or more time zones is where planning starts to pay off.
Jet lag happens when your internal body clock is out of step with the local time at your destination. It is not contagious and it is not caught from a plane cabin. The problem is circadian rhythm: sleep, temperature, digestion, alertness and hormones are still running on the time you left behind. The usual pattern is familiar. You may wake at 3am in New York, feel wiped out during an afternoon meeting in Singapore, or find your stomach wants breakfast while everyone else is ordering dinner. Symptoms can include poor sleep, daytime tiredness, reduced concentration, headache, stomach upset and irritability. Eastbound travel often feels tougher because you are asking the body to sleep earlier than usual, although westbound trips can still ruin the first few mornings. Crossing three or more time zones is where planning starts to pay off.
No jab prevents jet lag, but timing can be adjusted
No jab prevents jet lag, but timing can be adjusted
No jab prevents jet lag, but timing can be adjusted
There is no vaccine against jet lag. The useful work is behavioural and, for some travellers, medicinal. A travel health appointment can cover when to shift sleep before departure, when to seek bright light or avoid it, how to use naps without destroying the next night, and whether caffeine is likely to rescue or sabotage your schedule. Melatonin is sometimes discussed for jet lag because it acts on the sleep-wake cycle. It is not suitable for everyone, and the timing matters as much as the dose. Taken at the wrong time, it can make the body clock move the wrong way. Some people also get drowsiness, headache, nausea or unusually vivid dreams. Sedating sleeping tablets are a separate issue and need particular caution, especially with alcohol, driving, work decisions, older age, pregnancy, certain medical conditions or other medicines. The best plan is usually made once your flight times, stopovers and first-day commitments are known.
There is no vaccine against jet lag. The useful work is behavioural and, for some travellers, medicinal. A travel health appointment can cover when to shift sleep before departure, when to seek bright light or avoid it, how to use naps without destroying the next night, and whether caffeine is likely to rescue or sabotage your schedule. Melatonin is sometimes discussed for jet lag because it acts on the sleep-wake cycle. It is not suitable for everyone, and the timing matters as much as the dose. Taken at the wrong time, it can make the body clock move the wrong way. Some people also get drowsiness, headache, nausea or unusually vivid dreams. Sedating sleeping tablets are a separate issue and need particular caution, especially with alcohol, driving, work decisions, older age, pregnancy, certain medical conditions or other medicines. The best plan is usually made once your flight times, stopovers and first-day commitments are known.
There is no vaccine against jet lag. The useful work is behavioural and, for some travellers, medicinal. A travel health appointment can cover when to shift sleep before departure, when to seek bright light or avoid it, how to use naps without destroying the next night, and whether caffeine is likely to rescue or sabotage your schedule. Melatonin is sometimes discussed for jet lag because it acts on the sleep-wake cycle. It is not suitable for everyone, and the timing matters as much as the dose. Taken at the wrong time, it can make the body clock move the wrong way. Some people also get drowsiness, headache, nausea or unusually vivid dreams. Sedating sleeping tablets are a separate issue and need particular caution, especially with alcohol, driving, work decisions, older age, pregnancy, certain medical conditions or other medicines. The best plan is usually made once your flight times, stopovers and first-day commitments are known.
Trips where jet lag advice tends to matter most
Trips where jet lag advice tends to matter most
Trips where jet lag advice tends to matter most
Jet lag planning is most useful for long-haul journeys crossing several time zones, particularly when you need to function quickly after landing. Common examples include the west coast of the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, India, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Business travellers often notice the cost most sharply: a presentation at 9am local time can feel like the middle of the night to your brain. Short European trips usually need less planning, although very early flights, overnight connections and tight work schedules can still cause trouble. Direction matters too. Flying east to Asia or Australia often needs a different approach from flying west to California.
Jet lag planning is most useful for long-haul journeys crossing several time zones, particularly when you need to function quickly after landing. Common examples include the west coast of the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, India, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Business travellers often notice the cost most sharply: a presentation at 9am local time can feel like the middle of the night to your brain. Short European trips usually need less planning, although very early flights, overnight connections and tight work schedules can still cause trouble. Direction matters too. Flying east to Asia or Australia often needs a different approach from flying west to California.
Jet lag planning is most useful for long-haul journeys crossing several time zones, particularly when you need to function quickly after landing. Common examples include the west coast of the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, India, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Business travellers often notice the cost most sharply: a presentation at 9am local time can feel like the middle of the night to your brain. Short European trips usually need less planning, although very early flights, overnight connections and tight work schedules can still cause trouble. Direction matters too. Flying east to Asia or Australia often needs a different approach from flying west to California.
Fit the plan around the flight, not after it
Fit the plan around the flight, not after it
Fit the plan around the flight, not after it
If long-haul travel is on the cards, a short conversation can help you plan sleep, light exposure and any melatonin options around your schedule. Kensington Clinics offers travel health appointments in South Kensington and Hammersmith. Call 020 7589 4186 or 020 7603 4761 to book.
If long-haul travel is on the cards, a short conversation can help you plan sleep, light exposure and any melatonin options around your schedule. Kensington Clinics offers travel health appointments in South Kensington and Hammersmith. Call 020 7589 4186 or 020 7603 4761 to book.
If long-haul travel is on the cards, a short conversation can help you plan sleep, light exposure and any melatonin options around your schedule. Kensington Clinics offers travel health appointments in South Kensington and Hammersmith. Call 020 7589 4186 or 020 7603 4761 to book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this vaccine.
Common questions about this vaccine.
Common questions about this vaccine.
How early should I book jet lag advice before a long-haul trip?
How early should I book jet lag advice before a long-haul trip?
How early should I book jet lag advice before a long-haul trip?
A week or two before travel is usually enough for straightforward advice, especially if your flights are already booked. Come earlier if you have complex medical history, take regular medicines, work night shifts, or need to perform well immediately after landing.
A week or two before travel is usually enough for straightforward advice, especially if your flights are already booked. Come earlier if you have complex medical history, take regular medicines, work night shifts, or need to perform well immediately after landing.
A week or two before travel is usually enough for straightforward advice, especially if your flights are already booked. Come earlier if you have complex medical history, take regular medicines, work night shifts, or need to perform well immediately after landing.
Can I get melatonin for jet lag at a travel clinic?
Can I get melatonin for jet lag at a travel clinic?
Can I get melatonin for jet lag at a travel clinic?
Melatonin may be discussed during a consultation, but it is not automatically right for every traveller. Suitability depends on your age, medical history, other medicines, destination timing and what you need to do after arrival.
Melatonin may be discussed during a consultation, but it is not automatically right for every traveller. Suitability depends on your age, medical history, other medicines, destination timing and what you need to do after arrival.
Melatonin may be discussed during a consultation, but it is not automatically right for every traveller. Suitability depends on your age, medical history, other medicines, destination timing and what you need to do after arrival.
Is jet lag worse flying east or west?
Is jet lag worse flying east or west?
Is jet lag worse flying east or west?
Many people find eastbound travel harder because the body is being asked to sleep earlier than it wants to. Westbound travel can still cause early waking, tired afternoons and poor concentration, especially after crossing many time zones.
Many people find eastbound travel harder because the body is being asked to sleep earlier than it wants to. Westbound travel can still cause early waking, tired afternoons and poor concentration, especially after crossing many time zones.
Many people find eastbound travel harder because the body is being asked to sleep earlier than it wants to. Westbound travel can still cause early waking, tired afternoons and poor concentration, especially after crossing many time zones.
Do children need different jet lag advice?
Do children need different jet lag advice?
Do children need different jet lag advice?
Children can struggle with jet lag, but the approach is usually built around sleep routine, daylight, meal timing and realistic expectations rather than medication. If a child has a medical condition or takes regular medicines, they should be assessed individually before travel.
Children can struggle with jet lag, but the approach is usually built around sleep routine, daylight, meal timing and realistic expectations rather than medication. If a child has a medical condition or takes regular medicines, they should be assessed individually before travel.
Children can struggle with jet lag, but the approach is usually built around sleep routine, daylight, meal timing and realistic expectations rather than medication. If a child has a medical condition or takes regular medicines, they should be assessed individually before travel.
I am flying to India for work. Is jet lag planning worth it?
I am flying to India for work. Is jet lag planning worth it?
I am flying to India for work. Is jet lag planning worth it?
For a short business trip to India, it can be. The time difference is large enough to affect sleep, concentration and digestion, and the first two days often matter most. Bring your flight times and meeting schedule so the advice can be timed properly.
For a short business trip to India, it can be. The time difference is large enough to affect sleep, concentration and digestion, and the first two days often matter most. Bring your flight times and meeting schedule so the advice can be timed properly.
For a short business trip to India, it can be. The time difference is large enough to affect sleep, concentration and digestion, and the first two days often matter most. Bring your flight times and meeting schedule so the advice can be timed properly.