Jet Lag
Calculator
Calculate your recovery time and discover exactly when your brain is ready for travel memories.
⚡ Personalize for accuracy
How Jet Lag Affects Your Travel Memories
Jet lag doesn't just make you tired—it impairs memory formation. Research shows that circadian disruption affects the hippocampus, the brain region responsible for converting experiences into long-term memories.
This means the first 2-3 days of your trip are when you're least likely to remember what happens. Those magical first moments in a new city? Your brain is struggling to encode them properly.
The TripMemo Insight
That's why our calculator tells you when your "memory window" opens—so you know exactly when to shift from quick photo captures to detailed journaling.
Days 0-2
Memory impaired
Days 3-4
Improving clarity
Memory Window Opens
Full journaling capacity restored
Why East vs West Makes a Difference
Your body clock naturally runs slightly longer than 24 hours. This makes westward travel (lengthening your day) easier than eastward travel (shortening it).
Traveling East
Harder adjustment
- 1Your day gets shorter (harder for your body)
- 2Need to go to bed earlier than usual
- 3Recovery: ~1 day per timezone crossed
- 4Early birds adapt slightly faster
- 5Seek morning light, avoid evening light
Traveling West
Easier adjustment
- Your day gets longer (natural preference)
- Need to stay up later than usual
- Recovery: ~0.7 days per timezone
- Night owls adapt slightly faster
- Seek evening light, dim late at night
The 48-Hour Rule
Most travelers try to journal everything right after landing. Here's why that's a mistake—and what to do instead.
Quick Capture Only
Your brain is in survival mode. Don't force detailed writing.
- Take lots of photos
- Record voice notes
- Single-word reminders
Light Journaling
Memory improving. Start connecting photos to feelings.
- Add captions
- Evening reflection
- Note 3 highlights
Full Journaling
Memory window open! Rich, detailed entries now.
- Detailed stories
- Sensory details
- Emotional reflections
How We Calculate Your Recovery Time
Base Recovery Time
Eastward: Timezones × 1.0 days
Westward: Timezones × 0.67 days
Based on circadian rhythm research showing eastward travel requires ~50% more recovery time.
Personal Adjustments
Age Factor
Under 30: Standard • 30-50: +10% • Over 50: +25%
Chronotype
Matching direction: -10% • Opposite: +10%
Memory Readiness Calculation
Memory Readiness = Recovery Time × 0.6 (rounded up)
Cognitive function recovers before full circadian adjustment. Optimal journaling capacity returns ~60% through recovery.
Ready for Your
Next Adventure?
TripMemo helps you capture memories even when jet lagged—with quick photo capture, voice notes, and day-by-day pages that make journaling effortless.
.webp&w=96&q=75){kind=icon}
Quick Capture
Photos + voice notes
Memory Window
Know when to journal
Pin Places
Map your journey
Day Pages
Story by day
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about jet lag and travel memories.
Jet lag typically lasts 1 day per timezone crossed when traveling east, and about 0.5-0.7 days per timezone when traveling west. Individual factors like age, sleep patterns, and hydration affect recovery time. For a 6-timezone eastward trip, expect roughly 6-7 days for full recovery.