

In general, symptoms persist for 1-1.5 days per time zone crossed, but the duration of symptoms varies depending on the person and their trip details. Jet lag lasts anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Many people sleep well the first night after a flight only to encounter sleep problems in the following days. Symptoms can begin immediately or set in a few days after arrival.

People with jet lag experience one or more of the symptoms listed above. These symptoms arise after long flights to different time zones because the disruption to your circadian rhythm impacts how and when your body produces hormones that affect sleep and other bodily processes. Sleep paralysis and seizures: In rare circumstances, jet lag may impact sleep architecture which may increase the risk of sleep paralysis and nighttime seizures.Stomach problems: Jet lag can induce gastrointestinal problems like reduced appetite, nausea, or even constipation and irritable bowel syndrome.General malaise: Jet lag may make you feel malaise, which is a general feeling of discomfort, illness, or uneasiness.Emotional difficulties: Some people with jet lag feel irritable, and evidence indicates that jet lag can exacerbate mental health problems, such as mood disorders.Hampered physical function: Your body may feel tired, and peak physical performance may be affected, which is especially notable for traveling athletes.Impaired thinking: You may experience problems with attention or memory or simply feel like your thinking is slowed.Daytime sleepiness: Jet lag frequently causes you to feel drowsy or tired during the day.Jet lag can also cause sleep to be fragmented. Sleeping problems: It may be hard to fall asleep when you want to, or you may wake up earlier than planned.The most common symptoms of jet lag include: This jet lag can cause you to stay up later than you’d like, sleep at odd hours, or feel more tired than usual, among other symptoms. For example, if you fly from Los Angeles to New York and arrive at 8 p.m., your body might still operate as if it’s in L.A. Jet leg generally happens when a person travels east or west across three or more time zones.

A person’s geographic location affects their circadian rhythm since sunrise and sunset occur at different times in different locations. This internal clock synchronizes with the 24-hour day to promote quality sleep as well as physical and mental health. Under normal circumstances, a person’s circadian rhythm aligns with daylight, promoting alertness during the day and sleep at night. Jet lag is a circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorder that occurs when your 24-hour internal clock, known as your circadian rhythm, does not match the local day-night cycle. Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, jet lag can negatively impact your trip.įor travelers, knowing about jet lag - including its symptoms, causes, and ways of reducing them - can make long-distance trips more pleasant and less disruptive to sleep and overall health. Jet lag can throw off your sleep and cause other bothersome symptoms that persist for days or even weeks after a flight. This phenomenon often occurs when flying across three or more time zones. Jet lag refers to the misalignment of your body’s internal clock with the local time at your destination. Jet lag frequently contributes to the physical burden of long flights. Due to the logistics of check-in, the stress of security lines, and hours being stuck in a confined space, many people find extended plane trips to be seriously taxing. Long-distance plane travel is infamous for being inconvenient and uncomfortable.
