east-to-west jetlag

Some years ago I read an article about jetlag, which claimed that whether you’re more bothered by west-to-east or east-to-west travel depends on whether your individual body clock is slightly more or slightly less than 24 hours.

I’ve forgotten which clock-length yielded which problem, but do remember that my own pattern was also the majority pattern. Namely, going from the Eastern to the Western Hemisphere always gave me an amazing shot in the arm, but the reverse movement (such as America to Europe) caused me plenty of grogginess and disorientation. Indeed, one of the reasons I started cutting back on travel to America is that it takes me a good three weeks in Egypt to readjust to Egypt time. (The problem is moderated, but not eliminated, if I stop over in Europe for a few days on the way back to Egypt.)

However, I’ve never had anything but great anti-jetlag experiences when arriving in America from the East. It’s always been like a big long caffeine jolt for me, filled with energy and optimism.

Until now, that is. I’ve never flown from Europe to the West Coast before, and am finding it hard. This is a 10-hour difference (Cairo and Los Angeles), different from the 8-hour gap I’m used to (Cairo and Iowa). It’s not energizing at all, but disorienting.