lie down restlessly awake , ineffective to sleep in an ever - shrinking double-decker seat is consanguine to being bury active with a well - raiment groundskeeper who pops by to partake some Biscoff cookies every couple hours . It ’s miserable . But it does n’t have to be this way . We can crowdsource some tips to get our corporate quietus game on point no matter how long the flight is .
That ’s what was happening ona Quora train of thought , air hose workers and frequent flyers offer up their sleep tip for flyers . Here are a few of the oft - repeated bits of wiseness from your fellow sardines , struggling for sleep in the sky .
Window Seats, Every Time
" Window seats or exit and bulkhead rows are essential . If you ’re in the midsection or on the aisle , you could tell the people in your row that you want to sleep . If they ’re small enough they may be uncoerced to creep over you to debar wake you up . " - Thomas M. ( line travel tech startup cobalt - founder )
Stay Hydrated… With Water
" The best way to stick well-to-do and log Z’s on a violent - heart is to rest relaxed , hydrated , do n’t drink any booze and nullify rich ( gassy ) foods . " - Steven F. ( Airline societal media advisor )
" A repast should be served and hour and a half to two hr after take off . Eat , drink well enough to avert dehydration . NO alcohol , it will make stress to sleep worse , not better . " - Judy J. ( Frequent flyer )
This is support by many sources . Alcohol can contribute to drying up and less sound eternal sleep . Everyone knows their own reaction to alcohol best , but there ’s estimable intellect to desist if you ’re depend for some rest .
Shutterstock
Head Support
" Keeping your head mostly still is crucial if you want to stay asleep . I utilise an inflatable cervix pillow , not one with woof . " - Thomas M.
" One matter I did n’t find out until the end of a long haul flight , many seats have " flank " on the pass rest that fold inward so that your head teacher can stay side - to - side . They are quite often missed . inquire a trajectory attendant if your seats do this . " - Aaron C ( Flight attendant )
Shut the Entertainment Off
" head off look on motion picture during the flight because the screen can make your brain active and believing that is day clock time . " - Linda B. ( Vita Talalay )
This is advice also given by eternal rest expertTerry Cralle , who notes that quietus is more difficult to achieve when light remove your retinas , signalise that it ’s day time to your mentality .
Block Out the Noise and Light
" Earplugs ( the flesh out foam form ) and a leaden bead - fill sleep mask can do wonder ! " - Aaron C.
" I find wear out racket canceling headsets and a sweatshirt with a hood and optic shade off to obturate out the world around me best . By blocking out the world you’re able to make relaxed and just allow everything around you dethaw away . By blocking out the world you ’ve also created your own ' personal space ' in an environment that has no personal space . " - Steven F.
Comfortable Clothing
" wear out comfortable clothing in layers . No jean . A jacket or sweater with ample intimate pocket for wallet / passport is comforting . " - Andrew B ( Lawyer and frequent broadside )
" receive your comfortable flying outfit , what combining of shirt , undershirt , cap , sweater , etc . is the most comfortable to you when it ’s somewhat colder than the elbow room temperature . If your clothes are too warm , you will awaken up needlessly . The same if you feel too inhuman . " - Alexei Z. ( Consultant and frequent flyer )
Consider Your Red Eye Time
" When fly a red - eye the sleep techniques vary by duration of flight . A short cherry-red - eye such as LAX - JFK or JFK - SNN depend on the time of day . If for good example you ’re fly from JFK to Heathrow straggle at 5:00pm , you ’ll have significant trouble falling asleep , with many passenger first snooze off just before landing , but on that same route if you fly on the 10:00pm you have a great chance of sleeping with your normal torso round . " - Steven F.
Everyone is unlike , but if you ’re struggling to get some unopen eye after the tenseness oflong TSA lines , give some of these tips a shaft and see if you ca n’t help yourself pound out a few more Zs before the layover .
