--- title: "An Easier Way to Adjust to Jet Lag: Timeshifter Offers a New Approach" locale: "en" language: "en-HK" published: "2019-11-10T14:59:26+08:00" updated: "2026-03-17T23:02:51.716Z" canonical: "https://accordhk.com/blog/an-easier-way-to-adjust-to-jet-lag-timeshifter-offers-a-new-approach-120" --- # An Easier Way to Adjust to Jet Lag: Timeshifter Offers a New Approach Timeshifter aims to help travellers manage jet lag with personalised advice on when to seek or avoid light. This 2019 article explores its scientific basis, pricing, user feedback and hotel and airline partnerships. ## In brief Timeshifter creates personalised jet lag plans using sleep patterns, sleep type and flight details, advising users when to seek or avoid light and when to use melatonin or caffeine. The 2019 article reports positive user feedback alongside concerns about practicality; the first plan was free, with further plans costing US$10 each or US$25 a year for unlimited use. Jet lag is a challenge for many travellers and business travellers. There are many ways to manage it, including choosing suitable flight times and taking melatonin. An app called [Timeshifter]() aims to help people overcome jet lag through simple techniques. The development of Timeshifter is linked to [NASA]()'s research into astronauts' body clocks. On Earth, people's daily routines follow the rising and setting of the sun: they work during the day and rest at night. This biological process, which fluctuates in response to light, is called the circadian rhythm and follows a 24-hour cycle. In space, however, things are different. A sunrise or sunset occurs roughly every 45 minutes, severely disrupting astronauts' body clocks and making it easy for them to become exhausted. Researchers at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital studied the relationship between light and circadian rhythms. They found that astronauts could effectively “reset” their body clocks by deliberately seeking bright light and avoiding it during specific periods. Based on these findings, NASA developed a new lighting system that uses dynamic lighting to help astronauts maintain healthy sleep schedules. The same principle can help people adjust their body clocks when travelling between time zones on Earth. It also underpins Timeshifter, and has at least been confirmed by retired NASA astronaut [Mike Massimino](). Timeshifter takes into account individual differences in responses to light. It uses three types of information—users' sleep patterns, sleep types (early birds or night owls), and flight details (with support for multi-leg journeys, stopovers and more)—to generate a personalised “jet lag plan”. The plan reminds users when to seek light and when to avoid it. For example, if you need light while the cabin lights are off, Timeshifter suggests looking at an iPad or the in-flight entertainment system. If you need to avoid light outdoors, you can wear sunglasses. The app also advises users on when to take melatonin and consume caffeine. According to the company, users following Timeshifter's guidance can adjust to a new time zone 3–4 times as fast as they normally would. Downloading Timeshifter and receiving the first jet lag plan are free. Further use requires payment: users can pay US$25 a year for unlimited plans or US$10 for a single plan. Recently, Timeshifter offered free memberships to attendees of the Global Wellness Summit in Singapore. Around 20 users told the [Financial Times]() that Timeshifter's plans worked. However, some users said certain recommendations were too rigid or difficult to follow. For example, some were advised to stay awake for several more hours, which is indeed difficult on a red-eye flight once the cabin lights have been switched off. A growing number of hotels and airlines also hope to improve the travel experience by helping travellers adjust to new time zones, so Timeshifter has attracted interest from many of them.[Six Senses]() has partnered with Timeshifter to offer hotel guests free memberships. Timeshifter has also agreed a partnership with United Airlines, while dozens of other airlines are in negotiations with the company. Original article URL: http://bit.ly/33BenAC ## Frequently asked questions ### How does Timeshifter help travellers manage jet lag? It creates a personalised plan that tells users when to seek light and when to avoid it. It also offers guidance on when to take melatonin and consume caffeine. ### What information does Timeshifter use to create a plan? It uses users' sleep patterns, whether they are early birds or night owls, and their flight details. The article states that it supports multi-leg journeys and stopovers. ### How much did Timeshifter cost when the article was published in 2019? The download and first jet lag plan were free. Further plans cost US$10 each, or US$25 a year for unlimited plans. ### What did users say about Timeshifter's recommendations? Around 20 users told the Financial Times that the plans worked. Some users found certain recommendations too rigid or hard to follow, such as staying awake for several more hours after the lights were switched off on a red-eye flight.