Flying is never comfortable. The seats are small and you don’t have much legroom. For most people, it’s impossible to get good sleep on a flight.
For frequent travelers, plane sleeping skills are necessary. It takes a few trips to get the hang of it.
These tips will help you sleep better and longer on your next flight.
Get Comfortable
Comfort is the most difficult part of falling asleep on a plane.
Unless you’re lucky enough to get bumped up to first class, you aren’t going to have much room.
Leaning your seat back will give you a bit of extra space, but not much.
If you’re in the window seat, put your pillow against the wall.
The middle seat can be tricky, especially if there are people on either side of you. You’ll probably have to shift around a few different times.
It can be hard to find a good spot for your head in the aisle seat, but you at least have a bit more leg room. Just be sure not to leave your feet dangling out in the aisle or you’ll get hit by the trolley.
You’ll probably wake up a few times and have to move around a bit.
In such a small space, your blood flow is blocked. Do some small exercises like rotating your feet or stretching your legs.
This will keep your legs from falling asleep or getting cramped.
Headphones
High quality headphones are a traveler’s best friend.
Bluetooth technology is great since it lets you go wireless, but it won’t work on the plane. You’ll need to go old-fashioned and use wires.
You will normally be given headphones on international flights, but they normally aren’t very good.
Here is a list of the best travel headphones from Rtings to give you some ideas.
Some people prefer earbuds, whereas others like larger headsets. Try both to see what suits you best.
Noise cancelling headphones are ideal. If you don’t want to listen to music, they can block out background noise.
Download your music before you head out on your trip. The internet connection in airports isn’t secure. Plane WiFi is normally not good enough to download content.
Guided meditations or soundscapes are great if you need to relax.
Comfy Pillow
It’s hard to find good neck support on a plane.
Travel pillows are designed to solve that problem.
The only problem is they can be hard to pack. Some travel pillows are inflatable or fold up.
Even though pillows take up a lot of room, they are worth it.
Pack the pillow in a spot that’s easy to get to. You don’t want to have to take everything out of your bag just so you can get your pillow out.
If you forget your pillow, you can normally find one at the airport.
Pillows will be more expensive at the airport. It’s best to buy one ahead of time.
Stay Healthy
If your body is stressed, it’s going to be harder to fall asleep.
Stay hydrated and drink enough water. The free wine and beer on flights can be tempting, but it won’t help you sleep.
Alcohol and caffeine dehydrate you. Alcohol can help you fall asleep, but it interferes with your sleep cycle.
Drink as much water as you can before getting on the plane, and eat enough fruits and vegetables.
Pack some nuts, dried fruit, and other healthy snacks. The food on aeroplanes normally isn’t healthy.
Do some deep breathing exercises to help your body relax and make sure you’re getting enough oxygen.
Plan Ahead
You’ll sleep better if you know that the perfect hotel room is waiting for you.
Booking services like Hotel Engine will find the best room for you.
They specialise in business travel and will make sure that all your needs are met.
Things can go wrong during travel. Your flight could be cancelled. Plans can change.
When this happens, booking services will take care of the dirty work for you.
That way you don’t have to stress while you’re at the airport or on the plane.
Conclusion
Travel is stressful even under the best conditions. That’s why getting quality sleep is so important.