If you are someone that can easily fall asleep during a flight, you are one of the lucky ones. For many people, planes can be difficult to fall asleep on due to how uncomfortable they are, the small space that you have, as well as all the surrounding noise (unless you are flying first class, in which case, it is like a dream).
If you have a long way to travel and you are unable to fall asleep, it could cause major jet lag for you, or even just pure exhaustion as you begin your trip.
To avoid tiredness affecting your trip, we have pulled together some tips on how you can sleep on your flight and wake up feeling refreshed and ready to go:
1 – Reserve a window seat.
If you are able to, opt for the window seat. Reserving a window seat is a great hack to ensure that you can get a little more comfortable when trying to fall asleep, as they are right against the wall of the plane which you can lean your head on.
When you have a window seat, you also have a little bit more space and are less likely to be right up against the person you are sitting next to. Having a middle seat is your worst option for a long ride, as it will be extremely difficult to get comfortable and not get elbowed around by your neighbors.
2 – Wear comfy clothing.
We all know the movies where the characters arrive to the airport ahead of their big vacation in a glamorous outfit. While looking great is always nice, for a long flight, opt for a more comfortable-chic look. Bust out your most comfortable sweatshirt and sweatpants and your fuzzy socks, and simply sit back and relax.
Also, make sure that you are wearing comfortable shoes that you will be OK wearing throughout the flight as well as walking around the airports.
3 – Take melatonin ahead of your flight.
Melatonin is a life saver for many, especially during a longer flight. Melatonin is a hormone that is already in our bodies, which helps us to sleep. By taking a melatonin pill a few hours before the flight, you are more likely to fall asleep – and stay asleep – throughout the flight.
If melatonin is not your thing, consider other medications that may help you sleep throughout the flight, such as Benadryl.
4 – Power down your devices.
If you truly want to get a good rest during the flight, you may opt to power down your devices. Especially if you are connected to Wi-Fi throughout the flight, your phone will be buzzing with all sorts of notifications which will distract you from fully falling asleep.
By powering down your devices, you are creating a distraction free environment for yourself and will not feel tempted to check your incoming texts or social media.
5 – Wear an eye mask.
Purchase an eye mask ahead of the flight so that you can create a darker environment for yourself throughout the trip. Make sure that the eye mask that you choose can block the light, because natural light coming in from the windows of the plane can also hinder your ability to fall asleep.
6 – Use noise-cancelling headphones.
Even if you choose to not listen to music or a podcast to help you fall asleep, wearing noise-cancelling headphones is an awesome way to block out any of the noise surrounding you on the flight. Whether it is people talking nearby, a baby crying, or the flight attendants bringing out snacks and drinks, you want to ensure that you have the least number of distractions as possible so you can stay asleep.
7 – Bring a pillow.
Bringing a neck pillow can totally change the game when it comes to being comfortable throughout a long flight, so be sure to pack one to bring on the plane with you so that you can avoid any neck cramps or soreness during and after the flight.