Jet Lag Worst when Flying East and Ways to Recover - Dispatch Weekly

Those flying to east – for example from United States to Europe – are likely to have a far worse jet lag compared to those flying west – for example from Europe to US, a new study has shown.

Scientists at Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine have shown through a new study that our bodies – specifically our body clocks – are far more comfortable when it comes to westward time jump as compared to eastward time jump and that is why eastbound flyers are in for a far worse jet lag. While the findings are worrying for frequent fliers, scientists have said that the effects of jet lags can be toned down to a great extent through a few body-hacks.

David Earnest at Texas A&M College of Medicine explains that our body clocks don’t like being pushed to an earlier time as it is not as easy as adjusting to a later time gap. The researcher explains that our body clocks can adapt up to two to four hours a day when traveling from east to west, but when it comes to adjusting in the opposite direction – west to east – it can only adjust one to two hours a day.

“Let’s say you’re flying eight hours east across time zones: If our body clocks only adjust one hour a day, it will take our body four to eight days (without preparation) to synchronize and acclimate,” Earnest said. “Since our bodies can jump two to four hours when traveling westbound, the same flight west only requires half of this adjustment period.”

Another factor that dictates how bad a jet lag you will suffer from is the flight time. If you end up picking up an overnight flight when traveling east and don’t sleep on the plane, you’ll automatically be tired when you arrive at your destination in the early morning hours. However, sleeping on overnight flights is one of the best ways to fight the effects of jet lag.

The do’s and don’ts of the red-eye

It may be tempting to pop a sleeping pill and dream your red-eye away, but these medications will actually confuse the body clock and amplify jet lag. Prescription sleep medications stay in the bloodstream for extended periods of time—resulting in a hangover effect. Melatonin is safe to take because it has such a short half-life and doesn’t stay in the bloodstream long.

Frequent flyers should also avoid caffeine and alcohol on overnight flights. “It is acceptable to consume caffeine to help you stay awake at the new location, though,” Earnest said.

Hacking jet lag

There are two common methods to avoid jet lag. First, you can alter your current schedule to accommodate the new time zone before you travel. This is accomplished by modifying sleep and meal times about an hour each day (at least four or five days before travel) until those times reflect your destination’s time zone.

“This is often hard for us to do, and is inconvenient because it means going to bed hours earlier than normal,” Earnest said.

The second (and less inconvenient) way to hack the body clock is through melatonin therapy. Melatonin is a hormone that circulates in high levels at night, and is what signals sleep and nighttime to the body. “Since melatonin times when sleep should occur, people who travel across multiple time zones can use it to prevent the unwelcome effects of jet lag,” Earnest said.

Earnest suggests taking an over-the-counter melatonin supplement five days before you leave at the local time that coincides with your destination’s nighttime. “This will make you sleepy during the day—but it will train your body clock to acclimate—and is the best method to overcome severe jet lag and accelerate your adjustment to the new time zone,” he said. Of course, it’s always best to check with your physician before taking any new supplement.

When in Rome…

“When you cross into the range of a six- to eight-hour time difference, melatonin therapy is the best option,” Earnest continued. “It’s also important to implement good traveling habits like adjusting to the local time immediately. Walk around, drink some coffee and explore the new city. It’s better to tough it out and wait to sleep until night. You’re more susceptible to problems that occur with jet lag if you give in to your body’s needs based on the previous location.”

Going outside and soaking up as much sun as possible will also expedite the body’s adjustment period. If necessary, it’s okay to hit the hay at an earlier than usual bedtime (based on local time), but sleeping off jet lag during the day can have pretty intense ramifications. For example, if you usually go to bed at 10 p.m. at home, then it would be fine to go to bed at 8 p.m. local time if you’re exhausted.

“Delayed adjustment—not allowing your body clock to sync properly—ups your vulnerability to sickness, especially since you’ve already been in the closed environment of the airplane,” Earnest said. “Your immune system is probably already compromised. There are merits to doing the right thing and waiting until dark to sleep it off, even though that’s not necessarily what your body is telling you to do.”