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East vs west Jet Lag - Which is worse?

Jet Lag occurs when your body is propelled in an opposing direction of time at a significant speed, thereby either shortening or extending the day, and disrupting the 24-hour cycle that it’s used to. It is considered more difficult to cope with jet lag when travelling eastward (from west to east; ClevelandClinic, 2024). This is because as the plane moves you eastward, towards the direction the sun rose from, the body’s experience of a day gets shorter. Because of this, the body has to adapt to a shorter day. Eastward jet lag therefore takes more of a toll on the body.


What are the common symptoms of Jet Lag?

The most common symptoms of jet lag include:

  • Fatigue - Plane cabins have dry air because the cabins are set to ensure low humidity. This dry air can lead to fatigue.

  • Difficulty maintaining normal sleep patterns - Forcing your body to fit into a new time-zone, far different to the one it came from can be difficult. This is due to the body struggling to adapt to the extra time or less time in the day suddenly. 

  • Irritability - Jet lag can exacerbate mood disorders. 

  • Headaches - From the stress of travel, noisy airports, uncomfortable plane rides - it’s no wonder headaches are a common symptom associated with travel. Dehydration and fatigue can add to this and create headaches (Cleveland Clinic).


Why is eastward jet lag more challenging to adapt to?The body functions on a roughly 24 hour cycle (the circadian cycle) and finds it a lot easier to extend this 24 hour cycle than to shorten this cycle. So, it is easier to adjust to a time delay than a time advance to our day. In other words, it is easier to fall asleep later than to force ourselves to sleep earlier.




How long does it take to recover from Jet lag?

The general rule of thumb is that 1 day of recovery is needed per time zone crossed (Cleveland Clinic). E.g, An Eastward journey from London (LHR) to Tokyo (HND) involves crossing 8 time zones. However, it varies between individuals, it can take a few days to a few weeks to recover (NHS, 2023).


Best way to recover?

The absolute best way to recover from jet lag is to reduce its impact on your body as much as you can to begin with. Staying hydrated during your flight ensures that the body is sufficiently hydrated and optimised for function, this is more important than usual due to the low humidity in the cabin, which can be around 1\3 lower than what the body is used to (Abbott, 2025). Additionally, moving about during a long flight can help to not only increase your blood circulation and mood, but also to prevent the formation of blood clots. You can move around by occasionally taking a walk down the aisles and completing some seat-based exercises whilst seated. When planning your trip, it is important to schedule a less busy day upon landing, with low-key or chill activities allowing yourself to rest. After landing, this can help to accelerate the recovery process for your body, by allowing it to rest and compensate for the jet lag (Sleep Foundation). Combating jet lag through engaging in preventative tactics will allow you to feel more fresh and able to enjoy the rest of your trip.








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