Do you often travel on long-haul flights? Your travels and sleep problems often coincide. Do you want to know the best way to sleep on a plane?
As we all know, trips will require you to have high-stress demands, heavy meals, busy schedules, jet lags, and sleepless nights.
All of these are ingredients to poor sleep.
If more of us will realize the significance of sleeping better to our health, we will find it more motivating to have a good sleep.
You should know that lacking sleep, just a few hours of sleep, or just a night will reduce your alertness by almost one-third.
During disturbed sleep patterns, your memory gets impaired, and your ability to think suffers.
Furthermore, sleep deprivation can also lead to attention deficit, mood changes, and a heightened risk of accidents and injuries.
A better sleep routine while traveling includes better sleeping in your plane cabin or hotel room.
But, it will get more challenging when your hotel room and flight cabin do not provide you peace and serenity.
There are many tricks to cope with the best way to sleep on a plane. Some of these include:
- Getting noise-canceling headphones
- Deeming down cabin lights
- Make sure you have extra legroom by having a seat in front
- Using an eye mask
- Asking the flight attendant for a sealed travel pillow
- Bring your travel pillow. This and this one are considered top for their price
- Adjusting your seat belt to keep you up straight but comfortable
- Getting (better) a window seat
Nevertheless, by following these tips, you can fight this back and regain your peace of mind and body to sleep better.
11 Tips to Follow on the Best Way to Sleep on a Plane
Here are some of the information and tricks you must consider to fall asleep faster and better during your travels:
Try Resetting Before You Travel
First and foremost, you must start adjusting your sleeping pattern to the new place’s time zone while you are still at home.
You can achieve this by putting on darkening visors or glasses. Also, you can head to bed and wake up earlier or later than before.
Some people may find it efficient to use a lightbox to notify your brain when to wake up, even if it’s still dark outside.
It is also helpful to draw blackout curtains to pretend that it is nighttime already.
Plan Your Arrival in the Morning and Doze off on the Plane
If you need advice on falling asleep, experts suggest arriving as early as possible in your foreign country of choice.
It will help you go to your destination earlier and sleep later on.
That way, it won’t disrupt your body clock.
On the other hand, you may also choose to rest in your cabin flight to regain the lost energy and to fight back stress while you travel.
So, when you wake up, you have the full energy to be productive.
Let Go of the Alcoholic Drinks
Some people may say that alcohol is an effective sleep aid for them.
But, it is such a poor selection.
Did you know that studies claim that a serving of alcohol can affect your sleep for up to two hours? Yes, it can!
Take note that your sedation level may shoot up for the first hour.
But, in the next hour, your arousal may increase as the alcohol goes out of your body.
Bring the Most Comfortable Pillow You Have
The posture you maintain while sleeping can affect your sleep quality, especially if you have apnea.
It is best to sleep on your back unless you are suffering from apnea.
Most first-class airlines now offer seats up to six and a half feet.
Side sleeping is also an ideal choice for healthy sleep.
You may need to bring your mattress topper for side sleepers for this position.
It is also vital to know that whatever sleep position you choose, you must put a pillow that can support your neck.
Today, you can stuff some of your pillows in your cases.
Experts recommend that you tug the base corners of your pillow downwards, going to your shoulders.
That way, you can rest your head entirely.
Expose Yourself to Sunlight Early
When the time zone changes, exposing yourself to light may confuse you and the wake cycle.
So, if you want to achieve a night of better sleep, you have to have sunlight exposure at similar times during the day.
That’s beneficial to reset your brain.
Select a Hotel that Offers Circadian Rhythm Lighting and Blackout Curtains
Luxury hotels often make their guest’s rest a priority.
Some of them come with warm-colored light and simulate an alarm clock that will not disturb your sleep.
Also, they may provide blackout curtains, so if you want to get sleep in the morning, you still can.
Engage in Sleep-Inducing Technology
With today’s innovation, you can always download dimmers for your laptop and night-shift property on your mobile phone to change from blue to warm-colored light that induces sleep.
You may also choose a hotel with lighting science that helps you fall asleep fast and regulates your circadian pattern efficiently. This gadget can help you too.
Be Aware of Your Sleep Tracker
It can fire back quickly and may lead to anxiety, especially if it tracks that you are not getting enough.
However, it is still beneficial in making your sleep one of the top priorities.
We find that this fantastic inexpensive gadget tracks your sleep patterns and lets you know (among other important metrics) if you have deep or light sleep (deep is better).
Keep Yourself Calm
To allow the restoration of your cells, you need to rest.
That way, your brain and body temperature decrease correctly.
If you are a traveler wanting to doze off faster, you can do this by mimicking this low temperature.
You can have a warm bath or take a shower before going to bed to calm your system.
Additionally, you can do this by manipulating your hotel room’s temperature between 65 to 69 degrees.
Follow Your Normal Routines
You must stick to your usual patterns as much as possible because your brain loves the following routines.
You can stimulate it when you are traveling by having your exercise in the morning.
But remember not to overwork yourself with all the physical activities because it can lead to anxiety and stress.
Get as Comfortable as Possible
If you have the means, try to choose a business class or first-class flight.
Doing so will make you well-rested before arriving at your destination.
You may try getting a flat-seat bed or sleeping in a cabin pod to rest efficiently.
Some airlines may also offer complete bed suites that support better sleep.
You can even lower the lights and manipulate your environment.
Wrapping Things Up on Best Way to Sleep on a Plane
At its best, traveling is an excellent way to unwind and free yourself from your worries.
But, at its worst, it can disturb your resting pattern and put you under stress.
Long-term sleep deficiency can cause many troubles, including weight loss and health problems.
So, as soon as possible, try to upgrade your travels by following the 11 tips for getting enough sleep while away from the comfort of your home.
Remember that sleep is a debt that you must pay. Or else it will haunt you in the long run!
Thank you, Sandra McElroy, for your input and information.
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