

The symptoms are caused by a circadian rhythm that is out of sync with the day–night cycle of the destination, as well as the possibility of internal desynchronisation. Cognitive effects include poorer performance on mental tasks and concentration dizziness, nausea, insomnia, confusion, anxiety, increased fatigue, headaches, and irritability and problems with digestion, including indigestion, changes in the frequency of defecation and consistency of faeces, and reduced interest in and enjoyment of food. Sleep disturbance occurs, with poor sleep upon arrival and/or sleep disruptions such as trouble falling asleep (when flying east), early awakening (when flying west), and trouble remaining asleep. The symptoms of jet lag can be quite varied, depending on the amount of time zone alteration, time of day, and individual differences. Travel by propeller-driven aircraft, by ship, or by train was slower and of more limited distance than jet flights, and thus did not contribute widely to the issue. The term "jet lag" is used because before the arrival of passenger jet aircraft, it was uncommon to travel far and fast enough to cause desynchronosis. Airlines have regulations aimed at combating pilot fatigue caused by jet lag. Jet lag is especially an issue for airline pilots, aircraft crew, and frequent travellers. The condition of jet lag may last several days before the traveller is fully adjusted to the new time zone a recovery period of one day per time zone crossed is a suggested guideline. Jet lag was previously classified as one of the circadian rhythm sleep disorders. Most travelers find that it is harder to timezone adjust when traveling to the east. The phase shift when traveling from east to west is referred to as phase-delay of the circadian circle, whereas going west to east is phase-advance of the circadian circle. from east to west, feels as if the time were five hours later than local time. from west to east, feels as if the time were five hours earlier than local time, and someone travelling from London to New York, i.e.

For example, someone flying from New York to London, i.e. Jet lag is a physiological condition that results from alterations to the body's circadian rhythms caused by rapid long-distance trans-meridian (east–west or west–east) travel.
