Sleep On A Plane - 15 Wonderful Tips To Sleep Tight

Hey everyone! I'm just back from vacation and would like to bring up something that's been troubling me for quite a long time - how to actually manage to sleep on a plane?

I bet you too have experienced the agony and discomfort of trying to get a good night’s sleep during a long flight... Most of us have. It can spoil a big part of your vacation if you don't manage to get any sleep during a long flight.

So during my latest vacation, which included 4 different trips, my set out goal was to master this skill :-)

And yes, I have made some great insight. This article therefore becomes my very own contribution to your next vacation =)

-1. Grab The Window Seat

If you can, then get a window seat. It's without a doubt the best place if you want to sleep on a plane. I've noticed that the aisle seat is far too often subject to nudges from passing people.

And the middle one means having sharp elbows on both sides.

With the window seat comes the possibility to use the wall to lean against, the removal of anyone having to climb out and a minimized risk of nudges.

So if you can, get it! It's golden!

-2. Lean All The Way Back

This is an obvious one :-) Basically, the closer you get to your normal sleeping position - lying down - the easier it will be to fall asleep.

-3. Support Your Back

In most long-distance flights these days you'll get a pillow and a blanket. Unless you plan to use the blanket for cover, then put it as support behind your back.

If you do use it for keeping warm, then use the pillow instead. The reason why I recommend this is that modern airplane chairs are still far from your comfortable chair at home.

So by putting a pillow as extra support, you will create a much more natural sleeping position where your upper body gets to lean backwards. Try it!

-4. Support Your Neck

This one's a must for all of you serious sleepers out there. Lack of sufficient neck support is by far the most common reason why you might feel like you've been through a blender when you wake up.

You know the feeling, right? As soon as you start to doze of, whoops, your neck falls to the side and you're awake again.

For this purpose, I strongly suggest to get one of those special neck support pillows. Even though they're a bit pricey it's worth the money. Personally, I find the "bean bag"-type more comfortable than the inflatable ones so if you have enough room to bring on, do it.

-5. Take Off Your Shoes

You know how comfortable it is to roll up in your bed at home with your dirty uncomfortable shoes right?

No, you don't! Because it doesn't happen.

Same applies to sleeping on a plane. In your quest to get as similar to your normal sleeping conditions, taking off your shoes is a must-do.

-6. Use Your Most Comfortable Clothes

What's more important - being fashionable on the plane or getting a couple hours of awesome sleep?

I say "dress for success", which in this case means wearing as soft and comfortable clothes as possible. Try to avoid jeans and tight shirts.

If you really can't imagine walking around in the airport like this, then use the airplane toilet as your dressing room before and after sleeping. Then no one will know, almost :-)

-7. Cover Your Eyes

It's true that they usually dim the lights for a couple of hours during long flights, but I don't think that's enough if you want to optimize your chances to sleep on a plane. I mean, what if you end up next to Readie McReaderson with the light on constantly?

Instead, be prepared by having something to get yourself to the dark. I'm not a big fan of those strap-on black cotton glasses. The best solution I have found, thanks to the lady sitting next to me a while back, was to use a dark buff over your head. This will create a much more complete dark environment and you'll avoid almost all annoying stitches.

-8. Plug Your Ears (with music)

As with every time you go to sleep - if it's not quiet, then shut out the disturbances. And the use of some good music through your earphones is of course the easiest way.

Remember to set your playlist to repeat, or else you might be woken up by accident later...

If you prefer earplugs to make it quiet instead, then go for that. Whatever makes it easier for you to sleep on a plane.
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To find out about the 7 additional tips, go to http://early-riser.com/sleep-on-a-plane.html and you will learn about things such as:
- How to sleep instantly
- How to prepare
- How to become undisturbed
- Etc. etc.

I hope you've received some new insights based on my list here. So enjoy your next flight =)