How to sleep on a flight?

  • Jul 16, 2024
How to sleep on a flight?

How to Sleep on a Flight: The Ultimate Guide

Air travel is exhausting, but trying to get a restful nap while seated in a small airplane seat is even more challenging. However, it is pertinent to nap when flying especially during long-haul flights to avert fatigue and first-degree jet lag upon arrival at the intended destination. However, it is incredibly valuable to prepare and strategize to ensure that you are properly positioned for good inflight sleep.

Choose The Right Seat

If the plan is to sleep, then the positioning of the seat is essential so here are the best airplane seats. Here are some of the best seats for sleeping: Here are some of the best seats for sleeping:

  • The seats are positioned between two sets of galleys or the emergency exit seats. These seats offer significantly more leg space to give you the comfort of stretching your legs. A few airlines impose extra charges for such seats or make them available to passengers who are in a certain frequent flyer program tier. If available, these seats are ideal for a comfortable and easy-to-control wheelchair-bound person.
  • Window seats. This type of seating arrangement provides for headrests of the plane sides when one is seated at the window. They also allow you to sleep with your earplugs if you need to be noise free because your row mates might be up frequently. Pull the window shades down to minimize those coming in with light.
  • The areas that are in front of the wing. Positions that are in front of the wing section of the plane receive less jerk during the flight. This results in a more uniform ride, and a quieter environment making it much easier to sleep. The wing also helps in excluding engine noises from the passenger’s compartment.

Come Prepared

Bring items onboard to aid sleeping: Bring items onboard to aid sleeping:

  • Neck pillow. An inflatable neck pillow also helps to make sure that your head remains in the right place during your power naps. It is when you find it more comfortable than sleeping on a tray table while seated.
  • Travel blanket. Airplanes tend to be very cold, which means carrying a blanket would ensure that I am not cold at any time. Or even compression socks to improve circulation if you are taking long flights.
  • Sleep masks and earplugs are two of the most commonly used aids. Earplugs and masks make it difficult for you to be disturbed by light and noise thus helping you sleep better. Even noise-canceling headphones if of good quality also serve the same purpose.
  • Comfortable clothes. You should dress comfortably and wear free-flowing clothes that allow you to bend easily. Avoid restrictive clothing. Pack appropriate clothing to wear in airplanes because they can either be very hot or very cold.

Time Strategies

Be strategic with timing to enhance your odds of inflight sleep: Be strategic with timing to enhance your odds of inflight sleep:

  • Fly overnight. The best way to avoid this is to be in a position to do redeye flights so that one can sleep right through the night. You reach your destination fully charged for the day and ready to take it on.
  • Avoid caffeine. Don’t have coffee or tea before the flight. Substances like caffeine disrupt the sleep-wake cycle. If you must, take them at least six hours before your flight time so they have time to digest.
  • Take short naps. It becomes very challenging for one to have quality sleep especially when on a flight with turbulence. Well, it is advisable not to do this but to plan and take short power naps instead. I also like to nap up to 20 to 30 minutes because short naps help to rejuvenate the mind.
  • Adjust your watch. While traveling, especially when flying internationally, adjust the time on your watch to the destination’s time upon boarding the plane. It assists in regulating your circadian rhythms Organizing your schedule in this way aids in the regulation of your circadian rhythms.

Get Comfortable For Sleep

Try these positions and tricks for actually falling asleep in your economy class seat: Try these positions and tricks for actually falling asleep in your economy class seat:

  • Lean sideways. The most comfortable position is dozing off leaning against the window or the sidewall in an inclined position. You avoid flopping forward. Lay blankets on the floor and pillows on the wall to create a barrier between the wall and the prisoners.
  • Lean backward. In case you cannot tilt to the side, tilt your seatback down if it is safe from the passenger behind you and lay back. Lay your neck pillow upright for support.
  • Get loose. Loosen any clothes and footwear that may be constricting the circulation of blood to the affected part. Walk around the cabin or even engage in some jogging to enhance blood flow in the body. Thus the calmer you are, the better your odds of sleeping are.
  • Relax with some music. Lullabies are effective in preparing for sleep and may also include other forms of music that are relaxing. Carry a set of headphones, as well as a playlist that is stored in a phone. White noise tracks also help a lot.
  • Sleeping is an important process that requires proper rituals that would help to fall asleep as well as to wake up; thus, it is essential to try natural remedies to sleep. Body supplements such as melatonin, valerian root, or magnesium cause drowsiness. As with many supplements, it is recommended that you should consult with your doctor before taking this product.

Even though this may be tempting, do not take sleeping pills which are known to react badly in terms of cabin pressure in the aircraft during takeoff and landing.

Incorporate Healthy Habits

Boost overall sleep odds by fostering healthy sleep habits leading up to your trip: Boost overall sleep odds by fostering healthy sleep habits leading up to your trip:

  • People should have good sleeping habits. There should be consistency in sleep/wake patterns even at the time of going on a vacation, to the extent possible, following home rhythm.
  • Exercise daily. Exercise normalizes hormone secretion to induce sleep through the enhancement of the body's metabolic rate.
  • Manage stress levels. It is important to note what causes stress that may affect the quality of sleep and practice the use of stress-relieving activities such as yoga, meditation, and aromatherapy. Avoid activities that are very stimulating for the last hour before you sleep, and stay off social media.

But, getting restorative sleep midflight is certainly possible. To sleep using the following airline sleep strategies and feel fresh, alert, and ready to tour when your plane lands at your distant destination. Pleasant dreams!

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