Jet lag, bloating, and brain fog : How Acupuncture resets your internal clock

Lifestyle · July 2025

Support for Circadian Rhythm, Digestion & Mental Clarity

If you've ever stepped off a plane feeling foggy, bloated, or wide awake at 3 a.m., you're not alone. Jet lag and time zone travel can significantly disrupt your body’s internal clock, also known as your circadian rhythm. But even if you’re not traveling, late nights, stress, blue light exposure, or irregular eating patterns can leave you feeling just as disoriented.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), including acupuncture and herbal therapy, offers a powerful and natural way to restore balance, resync your internal rhythms, and ease the symptoms of circadian disruption.

What Happens When Your Internal Clock Is Off?

Your circadian rhythm governs everything from sleep and hormone release to digestion and mental clarity.

When disrupted, your body struggles to regulate:

• Melatonin – the sleep hormone

• Cortisol – the stress hormone

• Qi Flow – your vital energy, responsible for organ function​

The result?

• Sleepless nights

• Brain fog and irritability

• Sluggish digestion or bloating

• Increased anxiety or immune stress

  
  

🌀 How Acupuncture Helps Reset Your Rhythms

Acupuncture works by regulating the body’s energetic pathways (meridians), enhancing the flow of qi (energy), and bringing organ systems back into harmony. It also supports the nervous system to modulate melatonin and cortisol levels naturally—without needing to rely on sleep aids or stimulants.

Key benefits of acupuncture for circadian support:

• Supports restful, natural sleep by promoting melatonin production

• Clears brain fog by increasing oxygen and blood flow to the brain

• Eases bloating and travel-related digestive issues

• Reduces stress and anxiety by calming the sympathetic nervous system

• Improves energy during the day by resetting adrenal and kidney qi

🪷 Key Acupoints for Jet Lag, Bloating & Brain Fog

You can stimulate these points at home using gentle pressure or visit our Tribeca office for targeted acupuncture treatments:

• Yintang (Hall of Impression): Located between the eyebrows, this “third eye” point calms the mind and improves sleep.

• Shenmen (HT7): Located on the wrist crease, this heart meridian point supports emotional balance and regulates sleep.

• Stomach 36 (ST36 – Zusanli): Strengthens digestion, boosts energy, and improves immunity—great after long flights.

• Liver 3 (LV3 – Taichong): Balances emotional stress and helps move stagnant qi, often caused by travel or poor sleep.

• Kidney 1 (KD1 – Yongquan): Located on the sole, this grounding point draws energy downward and calms an overactive mind.

Pro Tips to Maximize San Fu Benefits at Home

1. Daily Ginger Foot Soak: Encourages circulation and pulls Cold from the lower body. Use 2 slices of fresh ginger in hot water for 20 minutes before bed.

2. Eat Congee for Breakfast: Try a warming rice porridge with scallions, sesame oil, and goji berries to support digestion.

3. Practice Breath Work: Open your Lung meridian with deep, slow breathing exercises in the morning sunlight. Try alternate nostril breathing or Qigong.

4. Avoid Overexertion: Even though it’s summer, Yang energy can be drained with excessive activity. Keep your nervous system calm and nourished.

   
   

Booking in-office visits and virtual consultations for wellness, allergies, fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum care.

The information presented in this blog post is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any medical condition. It is recommended that you seek the advice of a licensed healthcare professional before beginning any proposed treatment or making any changes to your healthcare regimen.