jet lag as attractor

It strikes me that jet lag is an excellent example of what DeLanda means by an “attractor.”

Namely, it is possible to eliminate all overt traces of jet lag. You can restore yourself to a completely normal sleep pattern for several nights in a row. But somehow, the jet lag still lurks. You have to keep fighting it well after it’s vanished, or your first sleepless night will kick you back into the old time zone. The jet lag remains alive even when its manifestations have ceased: not forever, but for awhile at least.

It reminds me of what a friend once told me about suffering from mono. I’ve never had it, fortunately. But he was saying the worst part isn’t all the weeks spent in bed. The worst part is that you apparently have to stay in bed for awhile even after the symptoms vanish, otherwise the disease will kick back in. It sounds terrible.