As you begin to explore and anticipate an exciting holiday, you first have to endure that long-haul flight. We eluded to sleep being a one of many ways to occupy yourself, but what about those that can’t sleep during a flight?
There are a number of tricks and tips that can enable you to make the most of your hours on the flight. Especially if you are going to arrive in a new time zone, if you land in the morning, then it could be worth trying to sleep your way through the journey and help your body easily adapt.
Window Seat
Try to capture a window seat, this way you don’t have to worry about being woken up every time somebody else needs the toilet. You can phone up your airline and try to reserve a seat of your choice. A good way for a regular traveller to do this, is to score loyalty points with their airline and in-turn get a choice of seats. Securing a window-seat enables you to control your light exposure and you’ll also be able to lean up the window rather than finding yourself tilted towards the aisle.
Quiet Spot
You can amplify the importance of your seating arrangements by booking a quiet spot too, the most sought after plane seat is usually 7F. It’s near the front and is usually wanted because of disembarkation. But if you want a quieter part of the plane away from trolleys and crying babies, then try to pick a seat closer to the back of the plane.
No TV
Some people try to doze off during a movie or their favourite television show and then wonder why they are still wide awake during the final credits. It’s because the light from a TV can keep our brain active. Avoid watching a film when planning on going to sleep, put on some relaxing music and sit back.
Use Comforts
Capitalise on any comforts that you can get your hands on, ask for a pillow and use the blankets that have been provided for you. You can also get more luxuries to add to your artillery, you’ll be enjoying a comfortable sleep in no-time! Buy a neck pillow that allows you comfortablity without needing to lie down, these adapting pillows can be a god send during a long flight.
Avoid Sleep Aids
Don’t experiment with sleeping tablets, only use them if you have already gained advice from a medical practioner and know how you react. Even so, they can be quite risky when flying alone. The only sleeping aid you should be looking at taking is melatonin. Melatonin is a naturally produced hormone that enables us to enjoy a healthy sleeping cycle, so with the supplements you could enjoy a quality snooze before your arrival.
Skip Alcohol
Indulging in alcohol can be all but too tempting for many that are ready to enjoy their holidays. But if you are looking to gain quality sleep during your time in the air, you should give it a miss. Alcohol promotes sleep for just a few hours and then makes it difficult to get back to sleep. The dehydration effects don’t aid our body during sleep and you may wake up trying to overcompensate with water. This will only increase your chances of regularly visiting the toilet, meaning a very uncomfortable flight for you, and who ever is in the aisle seat.
Don’t Over Eat
You may want to fill your time with a number of treats and foods; it’s all too easy when there’s not much else to do. But this could leave you feeling bloated and uncomfortable during the flight. Eating a lot of fats during the flight could directly impact your lack of sleep and even contribute to blood clots. So be sure to not consume huge amounts of fatty food.
If you’re trying to avoid jet lag or just simply trying to make your journey go faster, then try some of these techniques and tactics to help you sleep. Getting kip on a plane isn’t the easiest task and it’s one that most struggle with. Find a way that works for you and start sleeping your journey’s away.