Are you one of those individuals who boards an airplane, props your head against the window and then promptly falls asleep, not waking until the flight attendants make their landing announcements? I hate you! Okay, maybe hate is strong, but I AM jealous.
A good night’s sleep and air travel may be a wishful dream for many (pun intended), but even a few winks on an overnight flight can make a huge impact. Here are seven, non-medicinal tips for catching a few zzz’s to start your vacation reasonably refreshed.
Wear pajamas. OK – not literally. But clothing should be loose and comfortable, not tight or binding. And dress in layers to accommodate fluctuation in temperatures.
Remember your tootsies. You’ll probably want to remove your shoes for the overnight, so bring an extra pair of socks or slippers in case your feet get cold. And clear as much foot space as you can. Remove items you’ll need from your under-seat bag, so you can stow it above, temporarily, to make more room to stretch your feet out.
Bring your own blanket. The airlines are spotty about providing in economy class, and if they do, they’re small. An extra blanket can give you more coverage if the cabin is cool, wedged between the window and seat as an extra pillow, or propped as a makeshift barricade from your neighbor.
Use a neck pillow. There are many variations beyond the traditional horseshoe shape. You might need to do some trialing to find one that comfortably supports your head. And if the one that works for you looks a little weird – so what? Do you want to snooze or look chic? Because we all look so good after an eight, ten, or twelve-hour flight.
Replicate your bedtime routine. Remove your glasses or contacts, read, rub on hand lotion, drink a little water – whatever you do at home as part of your bedtime ritual, try and repeat to signal your body it’s sleep time.
Eye mask. First, it’s never completely dark in the cabin. And second, this is a life saver if your seat mate wants to stay up all night watching movies or reading.
Ear plugs or noise canceling headphones. If you use headphones use silence or white noise. Even soft music can distract. Personally, I use earplugs because I inevitably turn my head to a position that causes the headphones to dig in.
Have a great flight. Goodnight!