1. Sleep Like a Local
If your trip is a long one (more than 72 hours), make it a point to adjust to your new schedule on the day you arrive. If, for example, you arrive at your new location in the morning local time, then stay up until nightfall, even if your own internal clock feels like it is much, much later. On the other hand, if you arrive at night local time but the equivalent of morning for your time, then force yourself to go to sleep.
2. Exercise Intelligently
Treat jet lag by exercising, either to perk yourself up or bring yourself down. Exercise can be especially helpful as an energy boost before an early business meeting. Stretching can help you unwind before bed, but you shouldn't exercise vigorously within three hours of going to sleep. If you do, you may wind up staying up later than you intended.
3. Change Your Schedule
Schedule your meetings in such a way that they are set to your home time zone. This is effective for treating jet lag in shorter trips (24 to 48 hours) and can keep you alert for the duration of the meeting. You can always schedule these meetings ahead of time to coincide with your adjustment period.
4. Drink Caffeine
Caffeine is effective for treating jet lag, especially when you need to force yourself to adjust to the local time by staying up past your internal bedtime. Additionally, you can drink a little coffee or tea in the morning to increase your alertness. (You can also have a caffeinated soda or an energy drink if java isn't your style.) Just avoid drinking caffeinated beverages at least six hours prior to falling asleep, as the effects of caffeine can take more than eight hours to wear off.
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