Travel can be exhausting especially when your destination is so far to reach. You need to take such a long-haul flight that can drain your energy even though all you do is sitting. One of the bets ways to keep yourself in high spirit and energy is to get sleep during your long-haul flight. You don’t have to sleep for the entire flight because it can leave you with headache. However, there are many factors that make you unable to sleep properly such as tiny legroom, noisy seatmate, engine noise, etc.
How to get a good shuteye during a flight
Choose the right seat where you can sleep better with minimum disturbance. Your seat location can decide whether or not you are going to be able to sleep peacefully. Window seats are more perfect to have a good shuteye during a long-haul flight. You will have something to lean against and no one climb all over you to get to the toilet.
Just one carry-on bag
Avoid carrying more than one carry-on bag because if you bring two bags, one of them will end up in your legroom. It will just limit your space to move comfortably, making you unable to sleep. When you have only one light carry-on bag, you can put it in the overhead compartment after taking out important items.
No caffeinated drink
Avoid drinking caffeinated beverages if you aim to get a good shuteye. With caffeine, it will be harder for you to sleep because you will be more aware of various distractions around you. Also, caffeinated drinks can worsen jet lag later. Hence, avoid caffeinated beverages and soda. You can just stick to mineral water, juice, or milk.
Noise-cancelling headphone
Try noise-canceling headphone or earphone to block out any disturbing noise around you. You probably have chatty seatmates who seem unbothered. Or, the other passengers watch in-flight entertainment in high volume. Those can be blocked from your hearing with good quality noise-canceling headphone.
Get comfy
Get comfortable just like how you prepare to get to bed at home. If you have particular routine, do it even when you are in a flight. For example, you can wear warm socks, snuggle inside your favorite blanket, or have your face cleaned before bed. Do those routines so you can feel at ease and able to sleep easier.
Stay away from light
Stay away from light and recline your seat courteously. Reading lights, flash from screen, and cabin lights can be the source of your discomfort to sleep peacefully. Turn off those lights or wear eye mask. Remove all disturbance to be able to sleep with ease. You can also recline your seat but be mindful when doing so. Always check your behind and signal the passenger behind you so they know you are going to recline your seat.
Take some sleep aid
If you still have difficulty to sleep during your flight, take some sleep aid. You can buy over-the-counter sleep aids from your local drugstore or ask your physician to prescribe one for you. Follow the recommended dosage and be mindful with possible side effects such as disorientation or hallucinations.