Jet lag is no joke—especially when you’ve saved for months (or years) to take the trip of a lifetime. Nothing’s worse than landing in your dream destination and spending the first 24 hours sleeping and then continuing on “departure time” for the remainder of the trip. London at midnight not your thing? Me either.
I’ve been there. But over twenty years ago, I discovered a strategy to beat jet lag that I still use every single time I fly overseas—and it’s never failed me. So if you’ve heard the horror stories (or lived one), this blog is for you.
The moment you sit down on the plane, change your watch—or at least your mindset—to the time zone where you’ll be landing. I use a dual-time-zone watch face so I can see both current and destination time at a glance. Now you’re officially on London or Paris time, even before wheels up.
Let’s say your flight departs at 2:00 PM local time, but it’s already 10:00 PM at your destination. That means it’s time to sleep, not binge three movies and snack your way through turbulence.
Let’s say your flight departs at 2:00 PM local time, but it’s already 10:00 PM at your destination. That means it’s time to sleep, not binge three movies and snack your way through turbulence.
Here’s how to make that work:
Get as much rest as you can. Even a few hours can make a massive difference.
Whether you managed to sleep or not, the key is to act like it’s the start of your day when you land. And if you’re flying from the U.S. to Europe, it probably is the start of their day. But hey, you’re finally there so there’s an excitement of landing that will probably get you through the morning at least.
♟️ Your next move:
Then? Hit the town.
This is NOT the time to dive into museums or big-ticket tours, though. Instead, think of activities that will keep you moving.
If you have to catch a train to another destination right away, well Godspeed. The rocking of a train won’t bode well for staying awake. Oh the stories I could share of my travels when I had to do just that. Let’s just agree that public snoring is NEVER pretty.
But here’s some other ideas that will work for this first day:
🛍️ And here’s a travel hack I love: I often shop for clothes when I arrive and wear them during the trip. It lightens my luggage and makes for great souvenirs you’ll actually use.
Honestly, the first morning in a new country isn’t hard, it’s the “after 2:00 hour-thing” that gets me. Everything is going great, then BAM!💥FATIGUE HITS HARD.
But, if you fall asleep at 2:00 in the afternoon, you WILL wake up at 11:30 pm and it will be impossible to get your body clock corrected.
This is where things get real. Around 3:00 PM, your body will likely scream “Bed now!” If you flew overnight from the U.S., it’s basically 6:00 AM back home and you’ve been “up all night.”
🚨 But you must resist the siren call of the fluffy hotel pillow. 🚨
Here’s what to do instead:
Around 6:00 PM, treat yourself to a relaxed local dinner, then take a leisurely walk back to your hotel. This helps your body start to settle into local time and gives you a peaceful end to your very long day.
At around 8:00 or 9:00 PM, crawl into bed and enjoy what is guaranteed to be the best night’s sleep of your life. Honestly, like a rock! The next morning, you’ll wake up refreshed, adjusted, and ready to take on Rome—or Paris, or London—with a clear head and zero regrets. You’ll feel like a European travelling pro! 🏆
Have you had an experience with jet lag on a European venture? Share it with me & remember to follow the Bubbles on social media!
