App’s to help adjust to time change…. Denver to Australia

We've had a couple of good jet lag discussions lately.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/books-movies/looking-for-an-up-to-date-scientific-book-about-jet-lag

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/tech-tips/ideas-on-which-artificial-blue-junk-light-glasses-to-buy

I've downloaded the TimeShifter app but have not done my trip yet so no idea if it will work. You get one free Round Trip before you have to pay for the app so that's what I'm doing. You plug in your destinations and your flights over and back and it gives you a plan to follow as far as when to go to sleep at night and when to get sunlight during the day.

I'm traveling in August so will be back with a report on my experience in September.

Thanks, I will look forward to hearing how it works. Peggy, from Colorado

How exciting! I wanted to add my experience if it's helpful, to also not underestimate your jetlag when you return home.
I can't sleep on planes, so it was certainly a long journey there, but upon arrival I was so excited (I landed in Melbourne) I stored my bag and went to see the kangaroos that hang out near the airport. I think I took a rest when I could access my hotel room and was mostly just fine- so much to see/do and it was a normal kind of tired.
On the return, though! I had a 4 hour layover and fell asleep in the San Francisco airport. I felt groggy all the way home but then it didn't stop. For several days it was like a fugue state- I made an error at the bank, etc. It wasn't so much "sleep" as functioning poorly.
Your experience will hopefully be different, but it's just something to keep in mind to be aware of. Safe travels!

I used Timeshifter on my last transatlantic trip. Even though I barely slept on the plane coming or going, I did not have any jet lag and adapted to local time fairly quickly. The updated version is supposed to have mode using Melatonin but I don't see it showing up in the plan.

@katiecem, that is good to hear. There is a melatonin option that you check yes or no to when you are putting in your flights. I checked no, then wished I had checked yes just to see what they recommended but I can't see where to go back and edit when it's the free first RT I am doing.. Do you have the paid subscription or were you just using the first freebie?

I have done nothing yet, just heard from a friend about app’s that can help. I will fly business class from LA to Melbourne so that will help. I know the return will be much worse. I have done Shanghai to Chicago. That was difficult for days after., Just hope for some help from an app.

Pam- I said yes to the Melatonin option but it was not showing any time that I would use Melatonin. So I clicked on the person icon, clicked on the Use melatonin option (which already said yes) and then it had me read a disclaimer type statement (I just skimmed it), and it is still not showing any melatonin use for my flight.

I am using it for a second trip and have not had to pay. I wonder if it's because I first downloaded and used it 4+ years ago? I see the subscription option but it is still letting me add my upcoming trip.

Ah, a thought. Maybe the new features (melatonin) are for the paid subscription only.