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Regarding Tip #1 --- it's a good idea, but I also sometimes do the reverse, meaning, I try to keep my body clock on my original time zone so it's not so hard to readjust upon coming home. This works especially well for shorter trips.

You should always follow the new time zone the minute you board the plane (even better before you board the plane) and adjust eating/sleeping schedule accordingly. Also, pick flights that can allow you to keep a compromised schedule for both time zones.

Transatlantic (outbound usually departs late afternoon/evening) - eat before you board and you should sleep the entire flight. On the return (morning departure), skip the first meal and sleep for most of the flight. Wake up in time for the lunch service prior to landing. For afternoon departures, stay awake the entire flight.

Sunlight is a great help. If you can get sunlight (maybe a picnic or sit outside for lunch) will help you stay awake.

I agree with Griffin - if your concern is being worn out upon return, and the not that you are unable to enjoy your weekend away, I just stay on time with my home's clock. especially if it's a short trip, like a weekend across country.

once on a family trip to Hawaii - I was okay when we got to the hotel but then 2 hours later the jet lag hit me like a stack of bricks! I felt like a zombie and rushed back to the hotel to sleep.

Someone told me that once that going vegan before and during a transcontinental flight helps. I don't know if that's true, but I've noticed that ordering the vegan dinner gets me my meals before they serve other customers. Quicker to bed.

I also feel like sometimes you just need to sleep for a few hours (for me, no more than 2) at your destination. Flights between Boston/NYC and most of Western Europe are too short to get a good night's rest if you're a light sleeper. Visiting my sweetie's family in the Motherland is a lot more pleasant when I'm not falling asleep at the dinner table.

When I travel from NJ to California, I mentally adjust to the local time, but my body doesn't really adjust. The result tends to be that I get up early in the morning California time, while having had a very good night's sleep, Eastern time. This situation makes me very energetic out there, which is exactly how I like to be on vacation. Plus it feels like I'm having my cake and eating it too because getting up late Eastern time, i.e. 10 or 11 AM is fairly early Pacific time 7 or 8AM, so it's like I started out late and still had the whole day ahead of me.

I love visiting California.