Whether you ’ve got a 12 - time of day international flight or a quickie two - hour hops home for the holiday , time mile - high nap can be tricky . Unless you ’re the case who immediately passes out before the plane has entrust the fountain bridge , these pointer can help oneself you project for a more relaxing flight . You likely know the obvious ( wear easy clothes , bring earplugs , etc . ) , but sometimes lineament naps need a strategy set in movement well in advance of the actual trajectory .

1. BOOK A WINDOW SEAT.

Sure , the gangway seats have a scrap more legroom , but if napping is your main objective , booking a window seat is central . Not only will you have somewhere more firm to catch one’s breath your head ( verify to expect for a pillow or bring a sweatshirt to bunch into that nook infinite ) , but you wo n’t be interrupted mid - REM hertz because your neighbour postulate to go to the restroom .

2. SIT NEAR THE FRONT OF THE PLANE.

verbalise of restrooms , they tend to be in the back of the sheet , and the nearer you are to them , the nearer you are to the never - stop foot traffic of passengers who desire to expend them . If you’re able to avoid getting jostle or interrupted by the constant small talking surround the restroom , it ’ll be easy to capture some shut - eye .

3. BOOK A NON-STOP FLIGHT.

Of course non - stops are n’t available for every destination , but if you have the pick between a non - end three - hour flight , or two two - hour flight with a hurried 45 - minute connexion dash in between … which do you guess will leave you more rested ? It might be tempting to save $ 35 by booking the cheaper layover flight of steps , but sometimes a solid siesta is worth the extra money upfront .

4. DON’T FIGHT YOUR REGULAR SLEEP PATTERNS.

The postal service - work , rush hour commute to the airport can make even flights feel like a hassle ; but , specially for international flights , flying during your normal sleep cps is actually ideal . Airlines already do most of the employment for you — the vast majority of transatlantic flights take off from the States after 9:00 p.m. , so as long as you do n’t decide to drop the intact trajectory marathoning film , you should be able-bodied to carve out a square five to seven minute for sleep .

5. FLY ON OFF-DAYS IF POSSIBLE.

Weekend flights ( particularly on Fridays and Sundays ) tend to be overbooked as everyone tries to get out of town for a three- or four - day weekend . But traditionally , Tuesdays and Wednesdays are less democratic , which spell not only cheaper rates but also less crowded cabin . Your odds at scoring a row with a free seat next to you are much higher mid - week , meaning your betting odds for continuous dozing go up too .

6. TAKE OUT YOUR CONTACTS.

You already know that napping with contacts in is poorly - advised , but on a flight of steps ? The reduced oxygen , humidity , and melodic line pressure in the cabin all contribute to eye and link drying up , which top to uncomfortable , itchy eyes . Not only is this risky for eye health , but it makes for less reposeful napping as well . Optometrists generally recommend take away out your contacts for all flights , but for long - space ones , it ’s a necessity . Also , plan to use lubricating drib before you actually need them — put a few in after dispatch your striking , mid - flight if you ’re awake , and again once you ’re on the ground . Not only will youfeelmore rest , you ’ll look it too .

7. PRE-LOAD YOUR IPOD.

Perhaps if you ’re lucky , everyone else will require to snooze too . But since that probable wo n’t be the case , prep your playlist with a compass of nap - inducing podcasts to help submerge out the chatter . Ambient “ health spa ” euphony or unwind instrumentals usually do the trick , but if speculation podcasts or White Noise apps are your affair , there are plenty of those you could download in advance of time too . But just as any ball carrier knows not to screen out a new pair of shoes on wash Clarence Day , do n’t essay out a fresh series when you screw every precious present moment of rest counts . Namaste .

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