Every traveler suffers from jet lag at some point and there is no magical healing that works for everyone. But there are some things that can help, and surprisingly, technology is one of them.
The app is one of the latest ways for travelers to start fighting jet lag, but your phone can real Can you heal your tired and confused body and mind when enduring 11 hours of time changes?
Maybe that’s the case. These five apps can help alleviate jet lag by adjusting your circadian rhythm, allowing you to relax your sleep or instruct you to self-start to reset your internal body clock.
Related: 30 essential travel apps every traveler needs
Timesharing mover
Time-sharing speed relies on sleep and circadian neuroscience research to provide personalized advice to every traveler. It takes into account your age, gender and normal sleep patterns, as well as details about travel and travel plans. The app recommends when to avoid or seek light, when to take a nap or stay awake, and even if you should consider melatonin or caffeine. There is also a fast turnaround feature for business travelers who need to reach critical business travelers during short trips and applications for shift workers.
When testing, I like easy-to-read notifications that tell me when to get bright light, avoid caffeine and sleep. But sometimes, they may not be that simple. If your task is to get bright light but it rains, or you have a meeting, or you are instructed to sleep on the plane, but turbulent, you will not be able to follow the plan exactly as specified.
iPhone and Android devices can be used in timeshare movers. Your first jet lag plan is free; after that, you will pay $9.99 per plan, or enjoy a year of unlimited plans for $24.99. InterContinental and Six Sensors offer free jet lag plans for any direct hotel booking. United 1K Prime Minister Members can sign up for a free account, and all MileagePlus members can earn 500 miles by purchasing an annual account of $24.99.
Related: Don’t make these time changes when planning a trip
Insight timer
Insight Timer is one of the most popular free meditation apps out there. It may not cure the jet lag, but listening to the sound of a yoga Nidra sequence or meditation bell may put you in a deep sleep or at least help you relax on the plane or after you arrive at your destination. There are over 200,000 different meditations, one (or more) should meet your needs.
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You can download Insight Timer for iPhone or Android. Offline mode, additional meditation and other premium services cost $60 per year. If you don’t like Insight Timer, there are many other meditation and relaxation apps like calming and headspace.
Related: Flighty app for upgrade: Why this flight tracking app is the preferred travel companion
stopjetlag
Similar to people who share time, Stopjetlag offers travelers personalized advice to reset their body clock and beat the jet lag by telling them when and when not to sleep, when and when and what to eat (including the size of each meal), when to exercise, when to drink caffeine, etc. After entering a travel summary, you will get a personalized, downloadable plan with all the necessary information, including agendas, notes and mobile alerts.
The app also recommends the best time of flight to help travelers avoid jet lag in the first place, which can be useful if you haven’t purchased a ticket.
Although the app’s interface is a bit outdated, we do like that you can arrange for it to pull trips directly from Tripit. Download StopJetlag for iPhone and Android for free. Custom Jet Lag plans start at $78, including tips for traveling in both directions.
Related: What to expect when you travel from the United States International
Better sleep
The white noise app can help you sleep during flight or in your destination, reducing nasty jet lag. BetterSleep has sound categories such as natural, binaural beats and ASMR. You can layer several sounds at a time, adjusting each volume until you get the ideal city rain, zen piano and cat purs, or any white noise will make you fall asleep. Once you find your favorite combination, you can save it next time.
The app also features bedtime, meditation and breathing exercises; additionally, programs with physical and mental guidance are considered “sleep movements,” some of which are created specifically to overcome jet lag or to have a better sleep during travel.
BetterSleep is available for both iPhone and Android. Some sounds are free, including more sounds for premium plans for $9.99 per month, $59.99 per year, and lifelong access for $249.99.
Related: Favorite Travel Hackers of Our Favorite Flyer
Uplift
The app uses a slightly different approach to helping jet lag travelers reset: Bio-rhythm starts. Once you fill out your itinerary (departure and arrival city, date and time), Ruplift can do some exercises when logging in with instructional videos. The idea is that applying pressure on different points on your body can help you adapt naturally to your new time zone.
After a trip from Madrid to San Jose, Costa Rica (seven-hour time difference), I didn’t completely avoid Jet lag, but it helped me adapt to the new time zone faster. Plus, I had a more pleasant sleep than usual and didn’t wake up all night.
Download Uplift for iPhone or Android and get a free 30-day trial. After that, the unlimited travel practice for a specific trip costs $4.95 per month or $24.95 per year.
Related: 9 Health Trends and Where to Experience Them in 2025
Bottom line
Can anything completely heal your jet lag? Maybe not. However, these apps may help greatly shorten the annoying symptoms of jet lag, or make you feel more calm and restful while on the go. From megapressure to sunlight, the jet lag therapy offered by these apps is certainly worth a try.
