“I have a strict policy against jet lag… I don’t believe in it,” Shay Mitchell said about overcoming travel obstacles.
Travel is an exhausting, if exhausting, luxury, and there may be no one better to talk about it than actress Shay Mitchell. Through her original travel show Thirst with Shay Mitchell and her own luggage brand, BEIS, she’s well versed in how to make the most of busy travel or a relaxing getaway.
Article continues below ad
Following the conclusion of Season 1 of The Originals, Max, the actress spoke exclusively to Distractify via email about her best travel tips and hacks for those who want to explore the world with similar grace.
Article continues below ad
Best way to beat jet lag? “I don’t believe in it,” says Shay Mitchell.
Time zone changes are one of the most exhausting parts of traveling. After hours of being cramped in a small airplane seat, the body has a hard time adjusting to a new time zone, and travelers often remain tired throughout their stay.
Filming for Thirst Season 1 took Shay to four South American countries in a short space of time, but she wasn’t about to let a little sleepiness put a stop to her plans.
“I have a strict policy against jet lag. I don’t believe in jet lag,” she said. “When I land at my destination, I put my luggage down and head into the time zone.”
Sometimes, pushing yourself is the best option, especially if you have a tight schedule that you would otherwise miss. Sure, you might need a little extra time to recover after you get back home, but pushing yourself through jet lag seems like the best way to make the most of your trip.
Article continues below ad
“I actually got really sick on the trip… worse than I’ve been in a long time,” Shay confessed. “I really don’t recommend it… When you’re filming a travel show, the show has to go on. You have to get on planes, you have to plan, you get into some crazy situations, so it was definitely a little tough.”
In between sampling some of South America’s best drinks, Shay and her team also made sure to take in some of the main tourist attractions in the countries they visited.
Article continues below ad
“There was no time to rest or revel in jet lag on this show,” she continued. “When you look at Machu Picchu and Palenque in Colombia, or the vineyards and San Telmo in Argentina, you see us acting like jet lag doesn’t exist.”
When it comes to packing, Shay’s brand BEIS is her go-to.
Shay uses BEIS suitcases, which launched in 2018, on all of her trips, further proving her faith in the brand she founded.
“BÉIS is a part of me,” she says. “There’s not a single item in my zip-up bag that I haven’t picked out, or a sample that I haven’t approved. I travel a lot for work, so I’m always using and testing products, seeing what works and what doesn’t. And as I became a mother and had small children, the brand grew too.”
Article continues below ad
Since launching the brand, Shay has evolved the brand, saying, “Everything is a learning experience.” When Shay was packing for a trip to South America, she got everything she needed from BEIS.
“I’m not one to pack light,” Shay confessed as she detailed the various items she includes in her travel kit. “First, I need the biggest rollers, a 29-inch. Then whenever I’m on a plane, I also bring a 21-inch roller in addition to my tote bag.”
Despite the obvious ups and downs she faced while filming “Thirst,” the show ultimately achieved its goal, with all four episodes airing on Max in late May and early June. There’s no word yet on whether there will be a season 2, but we’ll bet she’ll bring all the travel tips she learned with her on her next adventure.
Season 1 of Thirst starring Shay Mitchell is now streaming on Max.
