It almost impossible for me to sleep on a plane! Help!?

Question

I have this 12 hour flight coming up. I have flown often, but I never seem to sleep! Then I have jet-lag. What can I do to sleep? How can I make it comfortable so I am able to sleep a good 4-5 hours?

Answer 1

I'm an ex-Flight Attendant and I'm begging you, please try whatever you're going to take on the ground first! Remember too that drugs are stronger in the air. How many times did I have passed-out passengers?!? They woke up feeling weird and it scared the c**p out of us crew members!

Here's my strategy;

1. WAX ear plugs. Forget those fiddly sponge ones. Wax really blocks out the sound.

2. Window seat. Don't have people crawling over you if possible and have something to lean against.

3. Good eye shades. I like the padded kind that don't smunch your eyes.

4. A good neck pillow. If you can find one that snaps in the front, all the better.

A word on alcohol. One glass will relax you but more will wake you up. Red wine is supposed to be the best at helping you nod off, but just one glass. Also, if you're drinking beer, you'll need to get up more often to use the facilities.

Bring some snacks too, in case you don't like what they offer and/or you wake up and nothing will be served for awhile. Not too sugary or greasy. Try to keep a bottle of water near you, so you don't have to get up to get something if you wake up thirsty. Buy it AFTER security in the airport. There's never enough on the plane.

Also, bring some sort of pain med just in case. You wont be able to sleep if you have aches and pains.

I'm not a good sleeper either but with the above game plan, I can at least get some winks in before arriving in a new time zone.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Try keeping yourself up the day before your flight , little sleep helps you sleep on flights that what I do...gl

Answer 3

ive been on 17hour flights and I must say I always ask my doctor to prescribe me a sedative if for some reason you dont want to take one look around for some natural alternatives like valerian etc. Also ask to be seated by the window with a vacant seat beside you if the flight isnt too full, that way you can avoid people waking you up to get to the loo and you can put up the armrest and have more space to curl up and sleep. Also have proper neck support like these inflatable neck pillows as they do make it easier for you to relax. avoid alcohol drink plenty of liquids such as water and juice. preferably dont eat too much. bon voyage!

Answer 4

Try a homeopathic sleeping aid from your local health food store (Whole Foods if you have one). Belladonna is a good one. That will help relax you but won't knock you out like a prescription sedative.

Answer 5

Get a shot of wine, then buy a good quality noise cancelling head phones + sleeping pillow.

When you arrive to your destination drink a lot liquid and sleep to the normal sleeping hours.

Have a safe trip...

Answer 6

What I do is I take a sleeping pill right after they serve the first meal, get my iPod out and listen to classical music. That puts me to sleep and I end up sleeping like a baby.

Answer 7

Take a CD played and comfortable pillow from home and buy a soothing CD such as one that plays Rainforest sounds, it helps relax you a lot.

Answer 8

you could try a sedative however I tend to get paranoid about doing that unless I am going with a family member. good luck though.