Beyond the pillow mint: How hotels can help with jet lag

Abstract

Jet lag is a bane of international travel, robbing travelers of the full enjoyment of their destination for the first day or two after arrival. However, by understanding the jet-lag mechanism, hoteliers can help their guests overcome jet lag's worst effects. The key strategy is to assist travelers in reorienting their circadian rhythm (i.e., their internal clock), to the new time zone. While providing early check-in is helpful, the recommended tactic is to encourage travelers to “get on the clock” of their destination, even if that means helping the guest to stay awake for an extended time. The point of that tactic is to enable guests to get a good night's sleep on the destination's clock, rather than that of their origination point. To that end, bright light during daytime is just as helpful as full darkness (and an absence of other disturbances) at night. Certainly, it is essential to ensure that the room's environment and the bed is comfortable. Making it possible for guests to exercise or to be physically active in some manner is helpful. Alcohol and caffeine are not helpful, because they disturb sleep patterns. Although hoteliers should not encourange inappropriate muse of medications, some guests may use over-the-counter antihistamines to help ensure drowsiness at appropriate times.