Frequent flyers struggling with jet lag may want to try some quirky new tricks like making "fists with their toes" or using a "foot hammock" on the plane, according to a new study.
According to the New York Post, Yulia Saf, founder of travel site Miss Tourist, analyzed over 2,000 comments on Reddit to identify the top 10 most unusual jet lag remedies recommended by globetrotters. "Gaslighting yourself into thinking you got enough sleep" topped the list, followed by toe fists and foot hammocks.
"While most people stick to basics like adjusting sleep schedules and using melatonin, it's the quirky hacks that really caught our eye," Saf, a full-time traveler for six years, told sources.
Jet lag occurs when the body's internal clock is out of sync with new time zones, leading to insomnia, fatigue, stomach issues, and mood changes. Experts typically advise limiting alcohol intake, avoiding naps after landing, and eating a hearty breakfast.
However, some frequent flyers swear by unconventional methods like taking barefoot walks, which members of the "biohacking" community believe helps the body reconnect with the ground. "There's no one-size-fits-all solution," Saf noted.
The full top 10 list, based on Saf's Reddit analysis, includes: 1) Gaslighting about sleep, 2) Toe fists, 3) Foot hammock on a plane, 4) Barefoot walks, 5) Forcing tiredness, 6) Light exposure tricks, 7) Anti-jet-lag glasses, 8) Aromatherapy, 9) Graduated compression socks, and 10) Earthing/grounding mats.
"Overcoming jet lag is as much an adventure as the journey itself - and often just as unpredictable," Saf said of the unique tips travelers are trying.