Anyone who flies through time zones has to grapple with the biorhythmic confusion known as jet lag. Body clocks don't reset so easily. All your life you've done things on a 24-hour cycle. Now, after crossing the Atlantic, your body wants to eat when you tell it to sleep and sleep when you tell it to enjoy a museum.

You can't avoid jet lag, but with a few tips you can minimize the symptoms.

• Leave home well-rested. Flying halfway around the world is stressful and if you leave home after a hectic last night, you may feel very exhausted when you reach Europe.
• On the flight, drink plenty of liquids and rest.
• Eat lightly and have no coffee and only minimal sugar until the flight's almost over. Alcohol will stress your body and aggravate jet lag.
• With two or three hours' sleep during the transatlantic flight, you will be functional the day you land. But remember to get up, move around, and stretch your legs occasionally to keep your blood circulating.
• Reset your mind to local time. When the pilot announces the local European time, reset your mind along with your wristwatch.
• Plan a good walk until early evening. Jet lag hates fresh air, daylight, and exercise.

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