Why Flying East Feels Worse: How I Deal With Jet Lag

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1. 01Why Flying East Feels Worse

   Good afternoon, everyone. I'm a flight attendant based in Dubai, so I cross time zones almost every week. I've noticed that jet lag feels much worse after some flights than others. Today, I'll explain why, and what helps me.

2. 02What Is Jet Lag?

   Jet lag happens when your body clock is still on your home time, but you're living on a different local time. You feel sleepy at lunch and wide awake at night.

3. 03How Fast We Adjust

   According to the CDC, the U.S. public health agency, people adjust on average about one and a half hours per day after flying west, but only about one hour per day after flying east.

   Source: CDC Yellow Book, "Jet Lag Disorder"

4. 04Why East Is Harder

   Why is east harder? The CDC explains that, for most people, the body's natural rhythm is slightly longer than twenty-four hours. So it's easier to go to bed later, as when you fly west, than to go to bed earlier, as when you fly east.

   Source: CDC Yellow Book, "Jet Lag Disorder"

5. 05The Power of Light

   The most powerful tool is light. According to the CDC, light helps set our internal clock. Morning light tends to move the clock earlier, which helps after flying east, while evening light moves it later, which helps after flying west.

   Source: CDC Yellow Book, "Jet Lag Disorder"

6. 06What I Do After Flying East

   Here's my routine after flying east. I take a walk outside in the morning, avoid long naps, and eat dinner early. For long flights across many time zones, I check official advice first, because the right timing for light can be different.

7. 07What I Do After Flying West

   After flying west, it's easier. I spend the afternoon and early evening outside, and I try to stay awake until the local bedtime, even when I'm tired.

8. 08Conclusion

   To sum up, jet lag isn't just tiredness. It's your body clock out of sync. Understanding which direction you're flying, and using light at the right time, can make your next trip much easier. Thank you.