Which way round is jet lag worse?

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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It is widely acknowledged that jet lag is worse when travelling east, but this has nothing to do with the direction of Earth's rotation. Like many creatures, humans have a circadian rhythm that follows a 24-hour period and is kept in sync by the eyes' response to natural light levels over the day.

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According to the NHS, crossing one or two time zones doesn't usually cause jet lag. Three to six time zones results in mild jet lag, and crossing seven to 12, to destinations like Mexico or Bali, will result in the strongest effect.

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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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Symptoms may be more pronounced as more time zones are crossed. Most people find that jet lag is worse when traveling east than it is when traveling west.

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Jet lag is worse and longer-lasting when you travel east than west.

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So, for that New York to London flight we mentioned earlier, you'd be crossing five time zones, so it could take you about five days to adjust. However, research in rodents suggests the liver, lungs, and muscles can take nearly six times as long as the SCN to adjust to jet lag.

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Jet lag symptoms usually occur within a day or two after traveling across at least two time zones. Symptoms are likely to be worse or last longer the farther you travel. This is especially true if you fly east. It usually takes about a day to recover for each time zone crossed.

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Common ways pilots avoid jetlag is staying hydrated, good rest, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, exercising, or sleeping on the airplane. For long-haul flights airlines use multiple pilots for the flight to allow each pilot to get some rest. The more time zones that are crossed, the worse the jet lag.

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Top Tips for Avoiding Jet Lag in London
  1. First off, what is jet lag?
  2. Tips and tricks to beat the clock.
  3. Shift your body clock before you leave.
  4. Leave home well-rested.
  5. Don't nap when you arrive.
  6. Or if necessary for no more than half an hour.
  7. Stay awake till an early bedtime.
  8. Avoid caffeine.


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If you can sleep then taking the overnight flight would be your best bet and the jet lag would be minimized. However, if you can't sleep it's going to be trouble. With the day flight there is a less chance of getting jet lag but you would have to pay for a extra night in london.

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If you have the choice, try to book a flight that leaves between 8 am and noon and arrives between 6 pm and 10 pm. According to this book, flights that leave late at night (10 pm-1 am) and arrive in the morning (8 am to noon) give a much bigger risk for jet lag.

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Adjustment to a new time zone is harder when traveling east than traveling west. This is because you “lose” time and you end up trying to fall asleep when your body is actually waking up.

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The Sleep Doctor explains that jet lag is a response to the disruption of your body's normal circadian rhythm, and it's easier to delay your circadian rhythm than to advance it. Therefore, it takes longer to recover from a flight from New York to London than from London to New York.

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According to experts, not eating while you fly can actually help to reduce jet lag. (And that's not the only thing your flight attendant won't tell you.) Turns out, traveling on a plane can do a lot of bad things to your body—including shutting your digestive system down once you reach a high altitude.

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