How to sleep on a plane

Sleeping on a plane makes your flight more pleasant.

I'm an experienced world traveler, and my least favorite part of travel is the process of getting from one place to another. Sleeping on airplanes is a great way to make the time go faster and arrive at your destination rested up and ready to explore. I often find sleep elusive under the best of conditions, but sitting in a tiny seat with lighting I can't control, surrounded by people making all kinds of noises? It's a challenge. But over the years I've learned how to get decent sleep on airplanes, with the help of these tips and some great products. Bring on the red-eye flight, I'm ready for you!

Eat right

You don't want to overeat or indulge in fatty or spicy foods before or during your flight. Heavy food can make you feel uncomfortable as your body works in overtime to digest it. At the same time, you don't want to let yourself get so hungry that your stomach is growling. Intestinal distress certainly isn't compatible with sleep. Bringing your own healthy and easily digestible snacks helps avoid tempting airport food (I'm talking to you, Cinnabon) which will make sleep easier.

Healthier snacks

CRAVEBOX

• $26 from Amazon

Treat your tummy with healthy nibbles.

You don't want to be overly hungry, nor do you want to rely on the airport's selection of tempting but often heavy foods to stave off hunger. Bring your own healthier snacks.

Additional recommendations

Drink right

It should go without saying that you don't want to drink caffeine when you want to sleep on a flight. But an alcoholic "nightcap" isn't ideal either. While it's tempting to down a couple of drinks to help you fall asleep faster, alcohol actually disrupts sleep in the long run. Alcohol is dehydrating and can cause stomach upset and headaches as well. Airplanes are dehydrating enough without adding alcohol into the mix. You're better off with just plain water or other beverage of choice without caffeine or excess sugar. Though you can't bring water through security, you can certainly bring your own water bottle and fill it before you board the plane.

Hydrate yourself

Freeday Gear Collapsible Water Bottle

• $17 from Amazon

This water bottle rolls up to save space.

The carrying handle of this thick silicone BPA-free collapsible water bottle secures it when you roll it up between uses. It has a covered spout for easy drinking and a wide mouth so it's easy to fill.

Additional recommendations

The right clothing

Dress in comfortable layers. You don't need to wear your pajamas on a plane, but certainly wear non-constricting clothing and layers you can easily add or remove to adjust your temperature. A large scarf can double as a blanket on the plane. Pro tip: buckle your seatbelt over all of your layers, even your blanket or scarf. Why? You want your seatbelt fully visible, so you aren't awakened by a conscientious flight attendant checking to see if your seatbelt is fastened!

Unisex scarf

Kashfab Wrap

• $20 from Amazon

Wear it as a scarf or use it as a blanket.

This wool-silk blend scarf will add warmth when you need it; just pack it away when you don't. It comes in dozens of colors to suit every taste.

Additional recommendations

Adjust your body clock

If you'll be traveling across multiple time zones, it's a good idea to start adjusting your bedtime and morning alarm in the days before you go. Melatonin can help you adjust, though it's best to talk to your doctor before taking any new medication, even natural ones like melatonin. It's not a sleep medication per se, rather it helps reset your body clock to tell your brain when it's time to go to sleep. This is something I only use on an overnight flight where I need to attempt a full night's sleep, not just a nap. If you're changing time zones, you can start taking it a couple of days before your flight. Take it two hours before bedtime at your destination. Another way to tell your body clock that it's bedtime is to avoid electronic screens of all kinds for at least an hour before you want to sleep. The blue light they emit encourages wakefulness.

Reset your body clock

Nature Made Melatonin

• $19 from Amazon

Melatonin may help you mitigate jet lag.

One pill taken two hours before bedtime at your destination can help reset your body clock to your new time zone. This jar contains 250 pills, 5 milligrams each.

Additional recommendations

Banish motion sickness

Being motion sick is no way to get any sleep. I've tried a few different motion sickness medications and found that good old Dramamine is the most effective. I never buy the "less drowsy" version because, well, I want to be drowsy so I can get some sleep. I like to be drowsy when I'm not driving or operating heavy machinery. Just be sure to follow the directions for when to take it to maximize its effectiveness: for adults and children over 12, take one or two tablets a half hour to an hour before takeoff. Again, I'm not a physician, so consult your doctor about any medications.

Ease nausea

Dramamine

• $10 from Amazon

May cause drowsiness

If you tend to get motion sick, Dramamine can help. The original formula has the side effect of making you drowsy, which is a desirable side effect on a long flight.

Additional recommendations

Choose your seat wisely

If you can book your seat ahead of time, by all means, grab a window seat. You get a wall to lean against, plus you have more control over your lighting. Avoid sitting near a restroom if possible. Not only do people tend to congregate there, but you may catch whiffs of something you'd rather not. Usually, the exit rows offer more leg room, but keep in mind you must have the physical ability to open the emergency doors if needed. The quietest seats with the least amount of motion are towards the front of the plane, near the wings. You can often book the seat you want through your specific airline's app or website, or you can use an app like SeatGuru.

Free - Download now

You need a good travel pillow

I have what my family calls my magic pillow because I talk it up so much and I'm always trying to get everyone to buy one. I've tried other travel pillows but this is the only one that works for me. Make room in your carry-on bag because trust me: it's worth the space. Sure, you can find cheaper neck pillows, but I paid even more for this one in the airport and I'd do it again in a heartbeat if I ever lost or forgot mine.

Best neck pillow

Cabeau Evolution Neck Pillow

• $30 from Amazon

My family calls this my magic pillow for a reason.

This tall memory foam pillow clasps in the front to keep your head in a comfortable position as you sleep. Say goodbye to sore necks and those awkward head-jerking moments as you drift off.

Additional recommendations

A foot rest

It may look funny, but don't knock it 'til you try it. A footrest can relieve some of the pressure on your lower back. You can stretch out your legs, move them around a bit, and just get into a more comfortable position for sleep.

Foot sling

Angemay Airplane Footrest

• $10 from Amazon

This is a comfortable hammock for your feet.

Rather than letting your feet dangle or keeping your knees at a constant 90-degree angle, plop them into this foot sling for a more comfortable sleep position.

Additional recommendations

Block out light

Even with a window seat, you only have so much control over the amount of light on a plane. Darker is better for sleep, so an eye mask is the best way to achieve this. Silk is especially nice against the skin. Be sure your mask fits correctly: tight enough to block out light but loose enough for comfort.

Silky comfort

SIPWELL Silk Sleep Mask

• $9 from Amazon

A sleep mask is a must for airplane slumber.

You can't control all of the lights on an airplane, but you can control what reaches your eyes. This silk mask is soft and comfortable and does the job of blocking light so you can sleep.

Additional recommendations

Soothing sounds only

While many people find the white noise of an airplane to be quite soothing, there are always other noises going on that aren't so soothing. Whether it's a crying baby, a snoring seatmate, chatty people, or other random noises, you'll be best served by blocking it out if you can. If you have a favorite pair of noise-canceling headphones, download a white noise app to use with them. Good old-fashioned cheap earplugs can also be helpful. My absolute favorite, though, is the noise-masking Bose Sleepbuds. Now that I've discovered them, I won't get on a plane without them. They do not play music; they are solely devoted to the art of sleep and only play a selection of soothing sounds. For sleep aficionados, there is no substitute.

Noise-masking earbuds

Bose Sleepbuds

• $212 from Amazon
• $213 from Bose

Designed exclusively to help you sleep.

Some may find it crazy to spend this kind of money on earbuds that play only a selection of tranquil sounds, not your own music. But for someone who craves sleep as much as I do, they are worth it.

Additional recommendations

Most of all, try not to stress out about how much sleep you do or don't get. Hopefully, with these tips, you can at least have a more relaxing and comfortable flight. If you do get some quality sleep, all the better to offset jet lag when you reach your destination. Bon Voyage!