How I Beat Jet Lag in London

Traveling has been such a blessing for my mental health, but let’s be real—it’s also my job. You can’t be a travel blogger and not actually travel, right? So when I found a one-way nonstop flight from Cincinnati to London for under $500, it was a no-brainer. London was calling, and I had to answer.

Now, one of the most common questions I get is: Don’t you get jet lagged? And the truth is… not really. Or at least, not anymore. Over the years, I’ve figured out a few tricks to help me feel human when hopping across time zones. London is five hours ahead of Cincinnati, so your body definitely feels the shift—but with the right routine, it doesn’t have to knock you out.

Here are my tried-and-true tips to beat jet lag and hit the ground running:

1. Stay Hydrated 
This might sound simple, but it’s major. Airplane air is dry, and dehydration will have you feeling sluggish before you even land. I always travel with a refillable water bottle, and I make it a point to sip throughout the flight. I limit alcohol and caffeine (okay, I’ll still have my matcha latte before boarding—but after that, it’s water only). Staying hydrated keeps your skin glowing and your energy levels more balanced.

2. Keep Going 
As tempting as it is to collapse into bed the minute you check into your hotel—don’t do it! The secret is to push through until your normal bedtime in your new city. When I landed in London, I went straight to my hotel, showered, changed, and then went out to explore. By keeping myself moving, I adjusted so much quicker.

3. Reset Your Routine
 Once you’re in your destination, live as if you’ve always been there. For me, that means going to bed around 9–10 p.m. local time and waking up around 7 a.m. I didn’t oversleep or give in to random naps—and by the next morning, I felt completely aligned with London time. The trick is consistency. If you sleep all day, your body will take days to adjust.

4. Move Your Body 
Here’s the bonus tip: get some movement in. I don’t mean running a marathon after a red-eye, but even a short walk around the city or some light stretching in your hotel room can work wonders. Movement wakes your body up, gets your blood flowing, and signals your brain that it’s daytime. Plus, it’s the perfect excuse to step outside and soak up your new surroundings.

So there you have it—my four go-to tips for beating jet lag. By staying hydrated, keeping yourself active, resetting your sleep schedule, and moving your body, you can spend less time yawning in your hotel room and more time making memories.
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London was the perfect first stop, and thanks to these little routines, I was able to enjoy it right away without missing a beat.

Because at the end of the day, Mo on the Go doesn’t slow down for jet lag.