Is jet lag worse flying east?

Flying east or west makes a difference to jet lag Your circadian rhythm (body clock) is less confused if you travel westward. This is because travelling west 'prolongs' the body clock's experience of its normal day-night cycle (the normal tendency of the body clock in most of us is slightly longer than 24 hours).



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Most people find that jet lag is worse when traveling east than it is when traveling west. View Source . Jet lag differs based on the direction of travel because it's generally easier to delay your internal clock than advance it. Jet lag does not occur on north-south flights that do not cross multiple time zones.

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Say no to in-flight coffee, caffeinated soda and alcohol. Instead, drink plenty of water or other drinks that aren't going to dehydrate you. Dehydration can worsen the effects of jet lag. Move around and be active. Get as much bright light during the morning and afternoon as possible to help your body's clock adjust.

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Jet lag is more evident if you fly from west to east because it is more difficult for your body to adjust to “losing time” when you journey east than to “gaining time,” when you fly from east to west. ? Adjust your bedtime by an hour a day a few days before your trip.

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Strategiesto reduce the impact of jet lag
  1. Limit or avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks.
  2. Drink plenty of water.
  3. Try to nap whenever you feel sleepy.
  4. Eat small meals frequently, choosing lighter foods like fruit and vegetables.
  5. Wear loose, comfortable clothing.
  6. Whenever possible, walk around the cabin.


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Try to Sleep During the Flight
One of the best ways to minimize jet lag is to try and sleep during the flight. Using earplugs, eye masks, or noise-cancellation headphones helps to block out light and noise.

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Duration of Jet Lag: How Long It Lasts Researchers have found that, on average, it takes people about one day to adjust for each 1 to 1.5 hours of time change. So if you fly from the East Coast to the West Coast, which is a three-hour time difference, you should be over your jet lag in two to three days.

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Most people find that jet lag is worse when traveling east than it is when traveling west. View Source . Jet lag differs based on the direction of travel because it's generally easier to delay your internal clock than advance it.

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Jet lag can last anywhere from four to five days. Some specialists say that traveling over just one or two time zones is minimally problematic. Individuals who encounter jet lag feel better a few days after arriving at their destination. But it can take up to one week for some people to feel back to themselves.

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Choose your arrival time wisely When trying to fight jet lag, prepping begins when you book your flight. If you find it hard to sleep on planes, it's better to arrive in the evening so you can head to bed soon after checking into your hotel. If you are a plane-snoozer, look for flights that arrive around lunchtime.

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My personal preference is for flights that depart in the evening and arrive as close to the morning as possible. Or, alternatively, find flights that arrive just before it's time for bed – especially for the way home. By departing at night, I find it's easier to catch some good sleep once you get on the plane.

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Jet lag is especially an issue for airline pilots, aircraft crew, and frequent travellers. Airlines have regulations aimed at combating pilot fatigue caused by jet lag. The term jet lag is used because before the arrival of passenger jet aircraft, it was uncommon to travel far and fast enough to cause desynchronosis.

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The completely correct guide to getting over jet lag
  1. Prepare for jet-lag misery in advance.
  2. Take your flight there seriously.
  3. Don't schedule anything important your first day.
  4. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.
  5. Seek out the right kind of light at the right time.
  6. Make your sleep space extra sleepy.
  7. When all else fails, give in.


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