Usually, people love to explore different places within a short period of time. Therefore, they travel from one place to another through a plan while enjoying every moment of their journey. After that, they face jet lag problem.

Want to know what it is, symptoms, treatment, and much more? There is no need to worry at all. Let’s dive in and explore everything in detail:

What Is Jet Lag?

Jet lag is a common sleep problem that lasts for a short period of time. You can get it after traveling across more than three time zones. Jet lag can make you feel out of sorts due to an abrupt change in your body’s internal clock.

Is jet lag worse going east or west?

In medicine, experts agree that flying eastward may cause more jet lag symptoms than flying toward the west. Researchers say that’s because your body can adapt more quickly to staying up late than going to bed earlier than usual.

What Are The Risk Factors For Developing Jet Lag?

Jet lag is often worse coming home because returning from a Western destination to the US usually requires traveling east. It forces your body to “lose” time and go to bed earlier. Here is why the return journey feels worse:

Eastward Travel Constraint

Your body’s internal clock finds it easier to stay up later (going west) than to go to bed earlier (going east).

Lost Time

Traveling east means your day is shortened. If you return from Europe to the US, you are losing 5-9 hours, effectively losing a portion of your night’s sleep.

Cumulative Fatigue

You are likely already tired from your trip. And you may not have fully adjusted to the destination time zone before you have to turn around and reverse it.

Returning To Routine

While on vacation, you can nap or sleep in. Returning home means immediately dealing with work, chores, and early mornings while battling disrupted sleep patterns.

Your Age

According to some recent studies, people over the age of 60 experience circadian rhythm changes more frequently.

Your Sleep Before Travel

The sleep before travel matters a lot. If you get poor sleep, it can increase your chances of getting jet lag after traveling.

Your Stress Level

If you have significant stress, it can disrupt your mind and body’s natural rhythms. This can make sleep harder to come by.

Is it always worse?

Of course! For the majority of people, eastward travel is harder on the body. A study noted that people traveling westward only need about 8 days to recover, while eastward travelers need nearly two weeks.

What Causes Jet Lag?

Jet lag usually happens when you travel by plane three or more time zones away. Plane travel makes jet lag worse because your body moves much faster than your brain. Here is a list of some of the other aspects:

• Long periods of sitting on a plane.
• Lack of oxygen and decreased air pressure.
• Warm cabin temperature and low humidity.

What Are The Jet Lag Symptoms?

Want to know the symptoms of jet lag? Worry not! Take a look at some of the following symptoms:

• Difficulty falling asleep
• Drowsiness
• Headaches
• Lack of concentration
• Extreme tiredness
• A general feeling of being “off.”
• Upset stomach
• Mood changes

What are the possible complications of jet lag?

Jet lag is typically a short-term issue that goes away after your body’s circadian rhythm has adjusted to the local time. But for frequent flyers, jet lag can sometimes cause complications. Have a look at some of the complications:

• Insomnia
• Diabetes
• Depression
• Certain Cancer Types

How Do You Get Over Jet Lag?

According to some top researchers, you can recover from most symptoms on your own. There’s a good chance your symptoms will go away in a few days without any jet lag treatment. How to get over jet lag when returning home? Have a look at some of the most important aspects:

• Get Some Sun
• Adjust Your Sleep-Wake Schedule
• Focus On Getting Quality Sleep
• Avoid New Foods
• Drink Lots Of Water