Jet lag

Beat jet lag,
faster.

Jet lag is your body clock stuck in the wrong time zone. You can't skip it entirely, but the right light, timing and sleep moves can cut days off the recovery — here's how.

The basics

Why it hits
~1 day
per time zone
A rough rule: your body resets about one time zone per day. Cross six and you're looking at several rough days without a plan.
East
is worse
Flying east (losing hours) is harder than west — it's easier to stay up late than to force yourself asleep early.
Light
is the reset button
Daylight is the strongest signal to your body clock. Getting it at the right time is the single most powerful fix.

What actually works

Sleep on the flight, land ahead
Arriving rested is half the battle — an eye mask, earplugs and a neck pillow make destination-time sleep possible in the air.
How to sleep on a plane →

Common questions

How long does jet lag last?

Roughly a day per time zone crossed, so a 6-hour shift can take several days to fully clear. Good light timing and sleeping on the local clock can noticeably speed that up.

Why is flying east worse than west?

Flying east shortens your day and forces you to sleep earlier than your body wants, which is hard. Flying west lengthens your day, and staying up a bit later is much easier — so westward jet lag usually clears faster.

Does melatonin help with jet lag?

For many people a low dose taken about an hour before the target local bedtime helps shift the body clock, especially flying east. Effects vary, and it can interact with medications — check with a pharmacist or doctor first. This is general info, not medical advice.

Sorting the rest of the trip? See how to sleep on a plane, the gear worth packing, and every pre-trip answer.