How many days before Bangkok should I shift my sleep when flying from Stockholm?

    Start 3 days before you fly Stockholm → Bangkok, moving sleep about one hour earlier per day. That leaves about 2 days of adjustment on arrival instead of 5 days.

    Flight time
    10h 5m to 11h 24m
    8,295 km
    Body-clock shift
    5 hours
    eastward
    To adjust
    5 days
    moderate jet lag

    Why, for this route

    • Direction: 5 hours eastward. Advancing is harder, so a pre-shift pays off most on eastward routes.
    • Shift light, not just bedtime — light timing is what moves the clock; the alarm only follows.
    • Do not pre-shift more than about 3 days: the gain flattens and the disruption at home starts to cost more than it saves.
    • On arrival, Day 1 in Bangkok: bright light 07:00–09:00, last caffeine 12:00, sleep 20:00–04:00.

    Your pre-departure schedule

    1. 3 days before departure
      Sleep and wake 1 hour earlier than usual, and take your bright light as early as possible after waking.
    2. 2 days before departure
      Sleep and wake 2 hours earlier than usual, and take your bright light as early as possible after waking.
    3. 1 day before departure
      Sleep and wake 3 hours earlier than usual, and take your bright light as early as possible after waking.

    Day 1 in Bangkok

    • 07:00–09:00Seek bright light
    • 12:00Last caffeine
    • 20:00–04:00Target sleep window

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    Evidence-based recommendations

    Each recommendation below is graded by how strongly published research supports it, with the source it comes from. Optimal timing depends on your travel direction, the number of time zones crossed and your own circadian phase, so treat the schedule as a starting point.

    • Seek morning light

      Strong

      Bright light after your destination wake time helps advance your body clock when travelling east.

      CDC Yellow Book 2026
    • Limit light in the local evening

      Strong

      Light at the wrong hour can push your clock the opposite way, so dim screens and lights before your target bedtime.

      NIH — Circadian rhythms
    • Shift bedtime earlier before departure

      Moderate

      Moving sleep and wake times 30-60 minutes earlier for a few nights gives your clock a head start on an eastward trip.

      CDC Yellow Book 2026
    • Live on destination time on arrival

      Moderate

      Sleeping, eating and being active on local time gives your body consistent cues about the new day.

      CDC Yellow Book 2026
    • Consider timed melatonin

      Moderate

      Low-dose melatonin near the local bedtime can help with sleep timing after crossing several zones; timing matters more than dose.

      Cochrane review — Melatonin for jet lag
    • Use caffeine early, not late

      Practical advice

      Caffeine can help you stay awake during local daytime, but late doses tend to delay sleep onset.

      CDC Yellow Book 2026
    • Protect sleep around the flight

      Practical advice

      Arriving without a large sleep debt makes the first days easier, even when few time zones are involved.

      CDC Yellow Book 2026

    How we grade evidence

    Strong
    Consistently supported by controlled circadian research and current public-health guidance.
    Moderate
    Supported by research, but effect size and best timing vary between individuals and studies.
    Practical advice
    Sensible travel habits with limited direct evidence for shifting the body clock.

    This is general travel information, not medical advice. Talk to a clinician before using melatonin or sleep medication, especially if you are pregnant, take other medication or have a sleep disorder.

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