In my role that takes me across different time zones, I feel like I am constantly battling flight attendant jet lag. Most people wake up, check their phone and know exactly what day it is. The know what time it is, and what they’re supposed to be doing. Me? not the case. My internal clock isn’t a precise Swiss watch. My clock is more like a highly adaptable, yet occasionally bewildered, instrument. One day I’m having breakfast in Singapore, a few days later dinner in Tokyo and then a week later, I’m genuinely trying to figure out if it’s Tuesday or Friday from a hotel room in Santiago. The goal, of course, is always to be exactly where I need to be, when I need to be there, fully prepared for duty.

The “What Day Is It?” Inquiry

“What day is it?” isn’t just a rhetorical question for me; it’s a practical, daily inquiry, the flight attendant jet lag is real. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve woken up, glanced at the date on my phone and had a momentary pause. This is because my brain was convinced it was yesterday, or tomorrow, or perhaps a completely different month. This isn’t just about missing a social engagement. This is about ensuring I’m always on top of my flight schedule. This is about making sure I am ready for my next flight and consistently performing my professional responsibilities.

My Life on a Wall Calendar: A Logistical Puzzle

Coordinating my personal and professional life across multiple time zones requires significant logistical effort. It’s a precise operation demanding constant vigilance. At home, we have a large family calendar on the kitchen wall. Everyone writes their appointments, school schedules and commitments on it. It’s our central command. And yet, I’ll still occasionally stare at it, calculating if “tomorrow’s” dentist appointment is actually “today” for me, or if I’ve already lived that day in another time zone.

• My Work Roster: My work schedule is a dynamic arrangement of flights, layovers and standby periods. Each new roster means a careful review, trying to figure out if I’ll be home for that birthday, or if I’ll miss that sport event. Every detail needs to be meticulously cross-referenced.
• Family Schedules: Aligning my fluctuating work hours with fixed family commitments, like school schedules or parent-teacher meetings, is a constant logistical puzzle. There’s no room for error when it comes to their education or well-being.
• Making Appointments: The Ultimate Challenge: Trying to book personal appointments, like a hairdresser or a specialist, is a unique kind of negotiation. “Yes, I’m available… perhaps… on the third Tuesday of next month, but only if I’m not flying to Paris and assuming I’m not on standby.” The poor receptionists must find it quite annoying. Not everyone understands that my availability isn’t just about “being off work”. My availability is about being in the right country, in the right time zone and not completely jet-lagged.
• Social Engagements: Responding to friends asking about social plans often involves a rapid mental calculation of my location and current time zone. Sometimes, I simply don’t know where I’m going to be until the last minute, which makes spontaneous plans a rare luxury.

This constant adjustment to time zones can be demanding and contributes significantly to flight attendant jet lag. One moment, I feel I’ve gained hours. The next I find myself losing them rapidly, leading to situations where I’m awake at unusual hours, contemplating a task that was due “yesterday” (which was actually two days ago in my home time zone).

My Flight Attendant Approach: Prioritising Rest and Staying Connected to Combat Flight Attendant Jet Lag.

How do I manage this environment while upholding the high standards of my profession? It requires discipline, meticulous planning.

• The Essential Planner: My planner is not merely a tool; it is my lifeline. Every appointment, every family event, every flight detail is meticulously recorded. Often this is with multiple time zones noted. It is crucial for maintaining my schedule and ensuring all commitments are met.
• The “Do Not Disturb” Rule (with Exceptions): When I’m trying to get crucial rest, especially after a long flight, my phone goes on “Do Not Disturb.” However, I’ve learned to set it so that important family members can still get through if there’s an emergency. It’s a small but vital tip for protecting my sleep without cutting off critical communication.
• Prioritising Rest Over Exploration: This is a hard-learned lesson. Early in my career, I felt immense pressure to explore every destination, try every new restaurant and hang out with crew on every layover. Now, I’ve learned that my primary responsibility is to turn up for my next flight refreshed and ready. Sometimes, that means prioritising rest over exploring a destination or socialising with crew. I’ve learned I don’t always have to try that new restaurant or see every landmark. My well-being comes first, ensuring I can perform my job safely and effectively.
• Adapting to the Environment: Occasionally, situations arise where miscommunications occur, like an accidental call at an inconvenient hour due to time zone differences. I address these and make changes so as to minimise disruption.

Therefore, when you observe a flight attendant maintaining composure, be aware that their internal clock may be undergoing significant adjustments. It’s a constant dance with time zones. A perpetual battle against jet lag and a continuous exercise in logistical planning. But despite the challenges of juggling my life across continents and calendars, I wouldn’t trade this unique career for anything. The opportunities, the people and the sheer adventure of it all still makes me love this job. This is even when my brain isn’t quite sure what day it is.

Read more here about how I use my apple watch to help with my wellbeing.

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