Sleeping
If you arrive at your destination during the daytime, you should try to make sure that you leave the plane as rested as possible. This will enable you to stay awake for the rest of the day, and go to bed at the right time for your new time zone. However, if you arrive in the evening or at night, avoid sleeping too much on the plane - you'll be so rested that you won't be able fall asleep at your destination - until the following morning. In this case, it's better to arrive tired enough that you'll sleep as soon as you hit the pillow.
Top Ten Tips for Sleeping
While some people seem to be able to fall asleep on a plane easily, many of us find it extremely difficult. Here are some tips that will help you catch up on your rest while flying:
1. Board the plane armed with the following:
- an inflatable neck-rest for comfort
- ear-plugs to shut out sound
- an eye-shade to block out light
2. Try booking a window seat; it will give you a wall to lean on, and your neighbor won't disturb you on the way to the bathroom.
3. If your legs are long, put your carry-on in the overhead bin so you have more legroom. If your legs are short, use your carry-on as a footrest.
4. Make sure that your body will be tired for the flight: before your departure, avoid sleeping in, napping or drinking caffeine, and try to get some exercise.
5. The plane can become drafty, so bring a sweater and an additional pair of socks to help maintain your body heat while you sleep.
6. Make sure you put your seatbelt on over your blanket, otherwise flight attendants may wake you to ask that you buckle up if the flight becomes turbulent.
7. Adjust your seat for maximum comfort. If you can't put it back far enough, try putting a pillow or blanket behind your lower back to make you more reclined.
8. Tell your neighbor that you plan to sleep. This will make sure that they leave you alone, with the additional advantage that they can discourage the flight attendants from disturbing you while you sleep.
9. It's often easier to fall asleep as the plane takes off. The G-forces on takeoff will make you feel 2 to 3 times heavier than normal, making you feel sleepier than normal too. In addition, there is no fresh air on the plane between the time the aircraft leaves the terminal until the plane is airborne. This low oxygen in the cabin will make you feel sleepy, so you can easily nod off as the aircraft climbs to its cruise altitude.
10. If you have not fallen asleep by the time the flight is underway, have a look around the cabin for better seats. A row of empty seats with movable armrests is the best situation for sleeping on a plane - other than first class of course.