Teach For All CEO Wendy Kopp Eliminates Jet Lag With Fasting And Exercise

Wendy Kopp, the CEO and co-founder of Teach For All, has discovered a method to effectively combat jet lag, a common issue for frequent travelers. Kopp, who founded Teach For America during her time at Princeton University, has long struggled with severe jet lag, particularly when traveling from east to west. However, she recently adopted a simple yet effective trick that has eliminated her jet lag entirely.

The trick involves not eating on the plane and going for a run immediately upon landing before consuming any food. Kopp explained that this method has worked perfectly for her, and she has not experienced jet lag since adopting it. The logic behind this approach is to reset the body’s natural rhythms through fasting and immediate physical activity, aligning one’s internal clock with the new local time before introducing any food. This method seems to align well with the reasons why jet lag occurs and what many people do to overcome it.

Jet lag disorder is a physiological response to rapid travel across multiple time zones, temporarily disrupting the body’s circadian rhythms. These rhythms govern sleep, alertness, digestion, and hormonal cycles, and are coordinated by the brain based on environmental cues such as light and darkness. When traveling quickly across time zones, the internal clock remains set to the original location, causing systems like sleep and hunger to fall out of sync with the new environment. This can result in symptoms such as fatigue, insomnia, and digestive issues.

Traveling east is often more challenging for the body than traveling west, as it requires the body to sleep earlier than it is accustomed to. Conversely, traveling west is generally easier to adapt to. Kopp’s approach, while not formally studied, aligns with emerging research on circadian biology. Fasting during travel and delaying the first meal until arrival may help shift the body’s “food clock,” a secondary circadian system that responds to eating times. Studies suggest that meal timing can influence how quickly the body adjusts to a new time zone, with some experts recommending light meals during flights and activities in the local time zone upon arrival to help reset internal rhythms.

Exercise, especially outdoors, is also recommended for combating jet lag. Physical activity can help synchronize the body’s circadian rhythms, particularly when combined with exposure to natural light. While Kopp’s trick may be useful, there are other strategies to help fight jet lag when traveling. These include adjusting your sleep schedule, staying hydrated, avoiding alcohol and caffeine, and limiting naps after arrival to encourage more nighttime sleep. Some experts also recommend taking melatonin in small doses, but it is important to consult a physician or doctor before taking any new supplements.