Is it better to fly east or West?

Conquer Jet Lag: Why West is Best (Most of the Time)

Jet lag. That dreaded feeling of disorientation, fatigue, and digestive upset that follows long-haul flights. While no one truly enjoys it, the severity can often depend on the direction of your travel. The common wisdom, and indeed the science, suggests that flying west is generally kinder to your body than flying east. But why? The answer lies within our own internal timekeeping mechanisms.

Our bodies don’t strictly operate on a 24-hour cycle. Instead, our circadian rhythm, the internal clock governing sleep-wake cycles and numerous other bodily functions, tends to run slightly longer, often closer to 25 hours. This means our natural inclination is to extend our day, not compress it.

When we travel westward, we effectively extend the day. Imagine a flight from London to New York: You arrive later in the day than you left, giving your body more time to naturally adjust to the new time zone. Your slightly longer-than-24-hour internal clock isn’t being forced into a sudden, jarring shift. This gentler transition minimizes the disruption to your sleep patterns, hormone production, and overall well-being. The result? Less jet lag.

Eastward travel, however, presents a different challenge. By arriving earlier than you departed, you’re essentially compressing your day, forcing your body to rapidly adjust to a shorter cycle. This abrupt alteration throws your circadian rhythm out of sync, leading to more pronounced symptoms of jet lag. Your body struggles to catch up, resulting in sleep disturbances, increased fatigue, and potentially digestive issues.

Of course, the severity of jet lag depends on several factors beyond just the direction of travel. The length of the flight, your individual sensitivity to time zone changes, and even your pre-flight preparation all play a role. However, the inherent advantage of westward travel remains consistent.

This isn’t to say eastward journeys are always a nightmare. With careful planning – including adjusting your sleep schedule before departure, staying hydrated during the flight, and prioritizing regular meal times upon arrival – you can mitigate some of the negative effects. However, for those seeking to minimize the disruptive effects of jet lag, choosing a westward route offers a significant biological advantage, allowing your internal clock to gracefully adapt to the new time zone. So, next time you’re planning a long-haul trip, consider the direction: Westward is often the wiser way to go.