Sharing some of my tips on how I beat jet lag and wake up in another country bright eyed and bushy tailed (even while flying economy).
Hi friends! How are you? I hope that you’re enjoying the week! I have another day packed with calls but am looking forward to going live in our Detox group today – just a heads up, protocols are 20% off this week, including the detox.
While I’m sitting here at my desk, I DEFINITELY have the travel bug (again). I read somewhere that constantly needing to travel is some kind of trauma response but we’re just going to ignore that mmm k? I’ve been meaning to write a post about jet lag and some of the things that have helped me, and figured it would be a good day to share.
Jet lag used to ruin every trip for me. I’d land somewhere new, ready to explore, but my body would be stuck in another time zone: wide awake at 3 AM and crashing mid-afternoon. Over the years (and many international flights later), I’ve tested dozens of strategies to figure out what actually works. Now, I can hop across time zones and adjust quickly, without losing precious days to brain fog and exhaustion.
Here’s my zero-jet lag travel routine.
How to travel without jet lag
Start Before You Fly
The secret to beating jet lag is to prepare before you even step on the plane. A few days ahead of travel, I start shifting my sleep schedule by waking up a little earlier (or later, depending on my destination). Even a 30-minute adjustment each day can make a big difference once you land. Leading up to our last Spain trip, I woke up EARLY (5 and 4:30am) and it was awesome to actually be tired on the plane.
Another tool I love is the Timeshifter app (not sponsored or affiliated, I just love it).It builds a personalized schedule based on your flight details and sleep patterns, telling you exactly when to seek light, avoid caffeine, or take short naps. The app was created with input from sleep scientists and astronauts (!) who deal with extreme circadian rhythm shifts. The first trip plan is free, and it completely changed how I travel. The girls’ naturopath told us about it and it’s been AMAZING.
Smart Sleep Support
Sometimes a little extra help goes a long way.
Melatonin (low dose) – I use this sparingly to help signal my body it’s time to sleep. It’s my go-to for a reset whenever I’m traveling, especially because hotel sleep can be dicey. It’s been a total gamechanger for me.
Magnesium oil or spray – Applying this before bed helps my muscles relax and supports deeper rest.
Sleep mask + ear plugs – Darkness and quiet are non-negotiables. A good mask and quality ear plugs help mimic nighttime even when it’s bright and noisy on the plane.
Blue light blocking glasses – I have bother True Dark and Vivarays and love them both.
Travel pillow + blanket – If I can get a few solid hours of rest on the plane, the adjustment is so much smoother.
Light, Movement & Caffeine
Once I land, I treat light like medicine. Bright sunlight is one of the strongest signals to reset your circadian rhythm. I try to spend at least 20–30 minutes outside in the mornin