5 Tricks to Sleep Better on Planes

Although flying is a common part of our modern life, good (or even good) sleep is a struggle and a challenge for many. It’s frustrating to see the person sleeping soundly next to you while you can not even take a nap! Although there are hundreds of articles that give tips on how to sleep better while traveling.

We know it’s tough but resist the temptation to fall asleep a few minutes after the start. First, this will make for frequent trips to the bathroom, which are certainly hard to sleep. In addition, over-indulgence can also affect your hormone production and circadian rhythms. That’s a recipe for disaster.

Pick Your Seat

The most important decision you need to make when booking your flight is whether to buy a first-class ticket or fly in economy. First-class seats have the advantage of providing a reclining position, which makes sleeping much more comfortable. But even if you opt for an economy seat, sleeping on the plane remains possible.

Just know that not all seats are the same. Therefore, you should check-in online as soon as possible and choose your place. Avoid the seats near the toilets: they are louder because of passenger traffic and sometimes smelly. Choose a seat toward the front of the engine, near the wing.

Lean Back

The goal is to find a position that is as flat as possible and puts little pressure on your back. So get started as far as possible. It is the most natural position for sleeping.

On a night flight, it is like waiting for someone who is not asleep to drop their window shade while flying over the Grand Canyon or Haleakala. Ideally, everyone has the same idea and the seats will soon tilt backward into your flight.

Skip the Caffeine

Especially with a day flight, where even looking out the window can be a distraction. Avoid tempting to drink a cup of coffee or soda before boarding and stick to water or juice when the soda cart comes around.

But you might want to think twice before swallowing that extra large brew, besides what happens when you drink it on an empty stomach. First of all, drinking coffee dehydrates your body, which could cause nausea and headaches while you are in the air. Since it takes about five to six hours for caffeine to wear off.

Avoid Screens Before Sleeping

The light from your laptop and smartphones will not help you sleep. You may think it is because you feel your eyes are getting tired. But all it does is to keep your brain awake and damage your eyes. So stay away from all screens before you go to sleep.

As a last resort, pop a pill to help you fall asleep. But ask your doctor about this before your flight and take it at the right time if you do not want to feel very groggy when the plane lands.

Bring A Neck Pillow

Many travelers swear by their supportive neck pillows. Did you know that the best way to use a travel pillow is to turn it over to support your chin? Choose a travel pillow that will help you replicate your sleep style in a limited space.

The best inflatable travel pillows allow you to fall asleep even in a packed economy area. There are all kinds of face balances and foam travel pillows in the market right now that are trying to better protect the neck of the travelers and provide a more comfortable rest in transit.