Jet Lag

Jet Lag occurs when rapid travel across multiple time zones disrupts your body's internal clock, leading to fatigue and disorientation. The condition typically worsens with each additional time zone crossed, significantly affecting your normal sleep-wake cycle.

Jet Lag disrupts your circadian rhythms - the 24-hour cycles that regulate physical, mental and behavioural changes in response to light and darkness. These rhythms crucially influence sleep patterns. When disturbed, they can cause various symptoms including fatigue, irritability, sleep disturbances, digestive issues, headaches and reduced appetite.

Eastbound travel typically proves more challenging as it requires adjusting to a shorter day, which the body finds particularly difficult compared to westbound journeys.

Yes, Jet Lag severity varies depending on travel direction. Eastbound travel generally causes more severe symptoms than westbound journeys. Research suggests recovery time equals about two-thirds of the time zones crossed for eastbound flights, but only half for westbound trips. For example, crossing six time zones eastbound typically requires four recovery days, while the same journey westbound usually takes three days.

Medical professionals don't recommend either approach. While sleeping pills and alcohol may induce sleep, they don't facilitate the natural sleep needed to reset your circadian rhythm. These substances can actually worsen Jet Lag symptoms by adding to the general feeling of fatigue and disorientation.