Five Ultimate Tips For Sleeping In An Aircraft
There are those people who can sleep just about anywhere. I know two close up – three, actually. If they want to, they can sleep – wherever they want, however they want. One of them really takes the crown. He is able to sleep leaning on the tray table in flight. It seems there are more people who can do that.
But not everyone finds napping in flight quite so easy. So here are some on-board sleeping tips – as simple as they are clever – should you need them.
The brilliant pillow
Are you already aware of this customisable cushion? It’s an invention that I think every traveller desiring to sleep in the aircraft will love. Hook the pillow over the seat and loop the strap over the opposite armrest or the seat belt. That allows you to sleep comfortably on your side. Google Jetsleeper and order it. And let me know if you like it.
Just read a book
Reading helps you to relax. And, when you relax, you fall asleep more easily. Your body and mind will let go. If you want to help yourself to let go, read a book, or an e-book, with the light dimmed. While you do that, make sure that your posture is relaxed. Let your shoulders hang down. Slow your breathing – in through the nose, out through the mouth. Look, read, relax, and you’ll be off – with or without a brilliant pillow.
Sea breeze and chirping birds
In complete relaxation mode by plugging your telephone into nature. The sounds of nature can be extremely calming. Close your eyes. Take a deep sigh. Listen – nothing more than that – to the waves, swaying beach grass, the wind and the birds, the rain. You’ll imagine yourself on the ultimate beach or in a wonderful rain forest. And when you drop off. One condition: be sure to download those nature sounds onto your phone or tablet and have your headphones plugged in. Success factors: keep your eyes closed and focus on the sounds.
Shut out the outside world
You can experience deafening silence, even in an aircraft. There are headphones that shut your ears off from the ambient noise. They’re ideal if your want to listen properly to the nature in the previous suggestion, and really relax. Or if you want to treat yourself to a silence retreat above the clouds. No growling engines, hissing air supply, or snoring neighbour to disturb you. And, if you keep your seatbelt on and your seat back upright, you can sleep as long as you like –that is, until the cabin attendant wakes you. We’ve arrived. Sleep well?
Sleeping in unusual positions
But to return to the sleeping travellers around me, who only make me jealous – the table-sleeper had stolen the idea from his neighbour He swears by it when he travels. He says to make sure you have a soft carry-on bag, not over-filled, and a pillow. Open your table-top and put the bag and the pillow on it – hands underneath, head on top. It seems you can nap a few hours that way because you’ll imagine yourself in bed.
So, these are my five tips to help improve the quality of your sleep in flight. If you’ve discovered any good techniques, please let us know. Sleep well tonight, or next time you’re in the aircraft.