About to embark on a March Break trip with kids, what makes it into the carryon bags is crucial. We’ve got the swimsuits, the loveys and airplane activities. We’ve got books, flip flops and first aid kits. But one thing I’ve just discovered has been added to the roster of travel essentials for us. The Philips goLITE BLU energy light is a portable light therapy device designed and clinically proven to help increase your energy level naturally and help fight Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), winter blues and jet lag. JET LAG. Do you know what’s worse? KIDS with JET LAG. I know. They’re like a cross between Gremlins and heavy rocks. Here are 7 ideas to combat jetlag in kids so the gremlin thing doesn’t happen.
Ways to Combat Jetlag in Kids
- Shift to the new time zone as quickly as possible. No more keeping your watch on the old time or reminiscing about what you’d be doing at home right now.
- Know the east/west deal. Flying from west to east is generally harder for the body. It’s harder for your body to deal with a shorter day, as you’re just not sleepy enough to get some zzzs. Extending the day – especially in an exciting new place – is easier.
- Don’t ditch the redeye. Sometimes an overnight flight helps the situation.
- Snack often. Healthy snacks, in addition to regular mealtimes while travelling keep energy up so that the body can adjust.
- Lighten up. If the kids’ bedtime is normally 8pm, it’s completely fine to push it back an hour or two. Relax!
- Plan Your Itinerary wisely. This includes not scheduling a ton on days one and two, and maybe booking a hotel with larger space at the beginning of the trip so all family members can get enough sleep in the first few days.
- Pay attention to Light. In addition to the Philips GoLITE BLU, a walk around the block in sunshine – even if you’re exhausted – can make a huge difference.
Philips goLITE BLU comes with it’s own travel pouch and is rechargeable so you can go cordless on airplanes. 100% UV free, the blue light (like a perfect summer sky) is the most efficient colour of energizing light. The blue colour also produces up to 85% less energy consumption than traditional white light therapy. There are 5 light intensities for those who are sensitive (or don’t want to bug your sleeping husband).
The EnergyLight App allows you to set the timer so that you never forget to get the benefits. Having the light in your field of vision for 15-45 minutes is ideal, but using it longer is not a problem. You can also select a programme based on your own body and energy patterns.
I like to use it to correspond slowly to the new daylight hours as we fly across time zones. If you think that naturally, the human body adjusts about an hour per day to a new time, you can try and push this by using the light just before dawn or after dusk to try and get into the new time more quickly.
Because the only thing worse than a tired, cranky kid is a tired, cranky kid on a trip that you’ve spend a fortune on!
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Philips. All opinions and love for the product are my own.
