This is akin to favorite cold remedies, I know, but here's my secret formula-

Flying with the sun (Europe to US)? Stay awake the whole flight, work, watch movies, etc. When you hit the ground, maybe a short nap, eat dinner, hit the hay at their night-time, take a tylenol PM and maybe a glass of merlot (I know, toxic combo, but I sleep. Go ahead, start the toxicity thread here...).

Flying against the sun (US to Europe)? Sleep. Same formula, quick inflight dinner, or grab something prior so you can don the eyeshades, earplugs, neck pillow and start sleeping ASAP. Same chemical formula- Tylenol PM and a glass of Merlot. When you reach your destination, act the timezone; coffee, breakfast, etc. Work that day, maybe an afternoon nap (set that alarm man, or it's death for that night). Get out and walk or run and get as much sunshine and fresh air as possible, dinner, stay up til 9 or 10, then hit the hay; tylenol PM and Merlot (syrah?).

Going south, I just try to sleep on the overnight flights down and back. That seems to work pretty well.

Anyway, I shift into the other timezone using chemical additives such as caffeine and bendryl and exercise and daylight. Seems to work pretty well for me.

Finally, I learned last year after a typical "intensity in 10 cities" six day tour of Europe (live in Budokan?) vs. a 10 city 14 day tour of Asia that lower intensity travel is less harsh on the bodyclock. It took me two weeks to recover from that idiotic Euro tour whereas the Asia tour took one week to recover.

Finally, debates of biblical proportions will break out regarding your sleep drug of choice. I have friends who are Ambien zealots, or melatonin freaks, or Tylenol-PM fanatics. Whateve, pick one and use it in moderation and it shaves several days off the recovery time.