Quickly Recover from Social Jet Lag

Have you heard of Social Jet Lag? It’s when you stay up past your usual bedtime in order to socialize. It usually happens to people over the weekend when we tend to shift everything later, but only for the two days. Unfortunately, social jet lag recovery is the same as regular jet lag, so it can take up to a full week. So, if you are staying up late every weekend, you are in a vicious cycle.

In Ayurveda we would say that this cycle of weekly socializing depletes ojas. Ojas is one of our three subtle essences, and it is responsible for immunity, mental clarity, vitality, and resiliancy. Ojas works alongside prana and tejas to create inner harmony and a state of balance. Prana is your life force that moves the breath, and tejas is your inner radiance that also fuels movement.

So it goes without saying that rebuilding ojas quickly will serve us well after social jet lag, or anytime we feel depleted. Here are a few things you can do to help build ojas:

1-Eat for your dosha and the season. Your dosha is your unique body constitution which is either kapha, pitta, or vata. The seasons could refer to the actual season of spring, summer, and fall/winter, or it can refer to your season of life, childhood, householder, forest-dweller. Altering your diet to remain balanced can build ojas. For more about doshas and eating for balance, please refer to Banyan Botanicals.

2-Spend time in nature. Walk in the grass with bare feet. Stare at the trees or mountains. Swim in the ocean. Be outside as much as possible, but for at least 15 minutes every day. Doing so not only rebuilds ojas, but it resets your state of calm.

3-Do something calming and nourishing. While this can vary by person, it should be a quiet, easy activity. Maybe take a bath with candlelight, color, practice gentle yoga, or meditate. Choose something that speaks to your soul, and you’ll rebuild ojas.

4-Practice Abhyanga. Abhyanga is self-massage with oil. The oil helps to soothe your nerves, and the massage brings consciousness into your body. Use an oil that will help balance your dosha, and you’ve got a double ojas rebuild.

5-Enjoy the Silence. Unplug. Set down all the things. Spend time in silence. When the thoughts bubble up, let them go. Return to listening to the silence, or your breath. Quiet time is essential for ojas.