5 tips for great in-flight sleep
Getting truly restful sleep during a long flight is no easy task. A few lucky ones can snooze off even before takeoff but most of us find it hard to really relax and disconnect at least for a few hours. Failing to do so can leave you even more exhausted and increases the chances of feeling the negatives effects of the dreaded jet-lag.
Knowing how to get better in-flight sleep is an invaluable skill for any traveler and here are 5 tips to get better at it:
- Get a window seat
This is one of your best allies when it comes to in-fligh naps. Rest your head on the side of the plane and forget about everything else, it’s definetely easier than to try to sleep sitting in an upright position. So, when possible, try to choose your seat in advance through the airline website.
- Pack the right sleep gear
Make sure to pack in your carry on all the napping accessories that can help you isolate your senses: a good eye mask that blocks all light efficiently, earplugs or noise-canceling headphones, a travel pillow and any other thing that helps you relax, like herbal infusions or guided meditations.
- Wear comfortable clothes
Some may disagree that there is just no point in wearing your best outfits for flying, but comfortable and warm clothes are perfect to put you in a sleepy mood. There are passengers that go as far as putting their home pajamas but maybe that’s a bit much. And based on flight attendants advice on plane etiquette, never take your shoes off!
- Avoid screens before sleep
The light emited from tablets, smartphones, laptops and seatback tv-screens can put your brain in an active state and suppress the release of the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin. Try reading a book, it’s a better option to help you feel sleepy.
- Wear the Philip Stein Sleep Bracelet®
Developed to harness beneficial frequencies of the Earth and channel them to your body, the Sleep Bracelet® can help you fall asleep faster, sleep deeper and wake up feeling refreshed. The unique Natural Frequency Technology® within it works like a finely-tuned antenna and it can also reduce the negative effects of jet lag. Just put it on 15-20 minutes before sleeping and you are ready
