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My previous blog entry contained my first three tips for combating jet lag naturally. I first described my strategy of eating light and fasting in preparation for a long flight. Then I went on to discuss the importance of hydrating before and in transit. Finally, I dealt with how to keep the body healthy and comfortable despite the physical restrictions imposed by long-distance air travel. This entry, I’ll cover beneficial foods to take along and strategies to employ upon arriving at your destination.

Food to Take Along
I don't leave home for my interstate, international or intergalactic travels without healthy foods. Goodness knows the airline is not going to offer my usual quality of local, organic, raw-vegan cuisine. So, while keeping it light, I make sure I pack some food staples chosen specifically for air travel.

Vitamin C is pretty much the healer of all things—and a radiation protection and repair marvel. I enjoy getting my vitamin C from fresh fruit, so I always make room in my carry-on for an apple, an Asian pear and a tangerine or two. But if gooseberries (Incan berries), goji berries or other dried fruits are more fun for you, bring 'em on—just make sure to drink even more water when eating anything dried. Heck, EmergenC packets are stacked full of vitamin C, too. Whatever the source, just make sure you get your share of this wonder substance.

Traditional Chinese-medicine adaptogens (or tonic plants) can be packed in low-temperature, dried-powder form and taken as tea or mixed with vegan milk. Adaptogens, as their name implies, have an amazing ability to aid your body in adapting to whatever environment you find yourself in, as well as fortifying your body against radiation. These include reishi, maca and ho shoo wu. Choose your personal favorite. I bring along whichever adaptogens I have a current relationship with—the ones that consistently leave me feeling fortified, centered and uplifted.

Nutritionally, I carry spirulina to alkalize with green minerals. I take naturally salted pumpkin seeds to assure I am stocked up on the magically protective minerals selenium, zinc and magnesium. They also ease my inevitable craving for "something salty," probably born of an internal desire to balance fluid levels in a dehydrating environment. Finally, I pack powerful detoxifiers like shilajit, fulvic acid, msm and ionic trace minerals, which can be found in high-quality droppers or capsules. I find these essential as well.

Arrival Strategies
The anti-jet-lag ritual is not just a preparation and duration ritual. It should continue for at least another 24 hours after arrival. Once off the plane and safely through customs, I make sure to immediately get my blood flowing with a brisk walk around the new city's streets. I take in the sights, notice people's faces, breathe the air and get my blood flowing.

Even if I must dive into bed at a locally unnatural time, I set my alarm clock for an hour before dusk (if traveling west) or dawn (if traveling east). This allows my pituitary gland, which regulates sleep and wake cycles, to set itself according to the sun. Once I get outside to show my body and brain the new solar cycles—even if I go right back to sleep afterward—my rest cycles adjust amazingly quickly and I wake feeling spry the very next day after catching up on my sleep.

I take .5 mg of melatonin before my desired sleep time to aid my body's transition to the new rest cycle. And my use of lavender and chamomile teas one hour before bed helps my body relax, de-stress and be more likely to fall asleep at the new appointed hour.

Meditation and Exercise
As well as being an important part of a normal healthy lifestyle, meditation and exercise are also integral to minimizing jetlag. I group meditation and exercise together because, for me, they do basically the same thing: calm my mind, deepen my breathing, center my spirit and synchronize my internal machinery. Although apparent opposites—one is passive and the other active—both reduce tension. Everyone develops his or her own, very personal styles of meditation and exercise; sometimes the two are even combined. Whatever techniques one practices, conscious use of both clearing the mind and working the body are the final pillars supporting good air-traveler health—along with some plain old sleep.

There's nothing worse than stepping off a plane and suffering the flu-like symptoms of jet lag. Conversely, there is nothing better than picking up your luggage and feeling your normal, unstoppable self. I've experienced both and found—through trial and error—that many air-travel symptoms are within our control. So play it smart and get the most out of your world travels. I'll see you in Thailand!

[Sign up to be notified each time Tonya publishes a new Clean and Green Everyday blog entry on EcoHearth. See a complete list of writing by Tonya Kay on EcoHearth.com or visit her Clean and Green Everyday blog. – Ed.]

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