Select your seat location wisely
Before choosing your seat on-line, head to helpful websites such as www.SeatGuru.com or www.seatexpert.com which show the seating configurations of most passenger aircrafts. Included are notes pointing to where the good, the bad and the downright awful seats are. Set a reminder 24 hours before your flight so when the flight opens up for you to choose a seat, you’ll have plenty of options to help you get a little closer to that bedroom comfort you’re aiming for.
Sleep on your comfortable side
At home, if you sleep on your left side, choose a window seat on the left side of the plane so you can lean up against the wall.
Combat dry air
Your bedroom likely isn’t as dry as the desert-like conditions on an airplane which has very low humidity levels. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the best indoor relative humidity falls between 30% and 50%. An airplane’s humidity is usually less than 20%. Combat the discomfort caused by dryness in-flight by drinking water, as well as using moisturizing products such as lotion and lip balm. You might also want to talk with your optometrist about suitable eye drops. Dry nasal passages can make catching some zzz’s challenging so check with your primary care physician about using a nasal spray and any other products I recommend. Or, ask a flight attendant for a hot cup of water and inhale the steam.
Pamper your ears
There likely aren’t the pressure changes going on in your bedroom as there are on an airplane, which can cause ear discomfort. One product known to be effective at minimizing pressure in the ears as well as reducing cabin noise is Earplanes which are earplugs made of soft silicone. Speaking of your ears, your bedroom likely doesn’t have the constant loud humming of jet engines which hovers around 80 dB – the same loudness as a vacuum. So, pack earplugs. Another option is noise-cancelling headphones. Although I haven’t used them, I’ve heard nothing but positive things about those by the brand Bose.
Bring your pre-bedtime routine onboard
One of the keys to inducing sleep in your everyday life is to have a nightly pre-bedtime routine. This is a series of activities done in the same order 30 to 60 minutes before you hit the hay. The sequence might go something like this: wash your face, brush your teeth, do some reading, prayer, journaling or otherwise. Replicating that routine from home in-flight (as closely as you’re able to) will cause your brain to click in and realize it’s bedtime.
Minimize interruptions
You probably don’t have too many interruptions while you’re in your bedroom. So, aim to reduce interruptions on board. Select a direct flight if possible. As well, make your fastened seatbelt obvious to the flight attendant so that they don’t need to wake you up to ensure you have it on. And speaking of the flight attendant, let the ones assigned to your section know you’re not wanting to be woken for the meal or drink services, if you don’t want to be. Bear in mind they have a lot to keep track of and may forget, but give it a shot anyways!
Dress for comfort
At higher altitudes, air pressure is lower than in your bedroom so airplane cabins are pressurized. As a result, the gas in our stomach and intestines expands causing us to feel bloated. So, wear something stretchy and comfy. Some travellers change into their pajamas onboard which signals to their brain it’s time to hit the sack. Due to fickle onboard temperatures, dress in layers and pack a scarf. Wearing a hoodie might leave you feeling overheated.
I wish you sweet dreams and happy travels!
