Many travelers complain that the flight to and from the destination can be nerve-jarring with lack of enough and proper sleep. You’re supposed to relax and de-stress that’s why you are going on a holiday. How can you when there’s no enough legroom, children are screaming there are hushed voices that wouldn’t stop. Combine these tormenting glaring lights from someone’s window, laptop or overhead light, and you have the perfect equation for a jet lag and harassed travel. No wonder you arrive to your destination and come back from your vacation in a stressed state.
All travelers would tend to agree, getting some shuteye on a plane is a challenge. While you can never totally relax the way you do at home or in a hotel, there are some tips and tricks to get a sleep while on a plane. This is what Natalie Paris of Telegraph – Travel Section shares in her blog What’s the best way to sleep on a plane?
No-one wants to spend the first 36 hours of their holiday recovering from a flight. At some point in the journey, it is a good idea to try and grab some sleep. Telegraph Travel has put together these ten top tips that should help you arrive refreshed.
Splurge on your seat
Let’s start with the most obvious one. Fly business class. Or better still, first class, says Dr Richard Dawood, the Telegraph’s travel health expert.
This is the best option if budget is not a concern. If not, know the best seats in the house and the seats to avoid. The best would be on the window side; right if you sleep on your right and left if you favor getting your shuteye on your left side. The worse seats would be near the lavatory and the flight attendant stations for obvious reasons.
Pick a quiet spot
Recent research by easyJet revealed that the most in-demand seat on a plane is in 7F, near the front of the plane – presumably for the perceived ease of disembarkation.
Avoid the seats up front because this is where most parents would go for with their kids and where flight attendants would be doing much of their work.
Keep it loose – except around your calves
If you are aiming to sleep, travel in comfortable, non-constricting clothing (apart from compression stockings).
You would want to simulate your “jammie” sleepwear back home that spells c-o-m-f-o-r-t to feel perfectly “at home.”
Which position?
For those in first- or business-class, this is a no-brainer.
… Dr Dawood believes that the best position (controversially for those behind you) is to put your seat back as far as possible. “Recline as much as possible and make yourself as comfortable as conditions permit,” he says.
The problem with sitting upright in a 90 degree position is the strain it will place on your disks, while slouching can strain your lower spine. If the plane is not full, ask an attendant to let you transfer so you can sleep better.
Get Your buckle out
Keep your seatbelt out so it shows. This way the flight attendants don’t need to wake you up to ask if you’re all buckled up just when you’re happily snoozing off to or in the dreamland.
More Tips to the ZZZland!
Deter seatmates from engaging you into small talks. You don’t want to send the wrong signal that you’re ready to stay up all day or night for some deep conversations. Bring something to send the right signal – a book, a small pillow or a headphone.
A pillow can also let you sleep better. There are several ergonomic types that can bring you good sleep. It will be a worthy investment, particularly if you are a frequent flier/traveler. If you are using the U type, wear it backwards so it will support your neck. This will prevent sudden jerking forward, waking you up and causing you some discomfort.
While booze can put you asleep without much difficulty, it is never advisable to more than you can handle.
Avoid the TV or opening a laptop for entertainment. The light can keep you awake.
Popping a sleeping remedy should be a last recourse and only when you are on a very long flight. Ask your doctor for a prescription of a safe, short-acting pill that will put you in full alertness in about four hours. This can also be used to help you deal with jetlag, which can prevent you from enjoying your holiday in the next 36 hours or so.
Sleep, whether at home, on a plane or on a vacation, is important to keep you energized, alert and in a good mood. Learn to grab your 40 winks on a plane and you can arrive at your destination ready for fun and come back from your holiday all revved up and ready to face your “old life” again.