How to fall asleep on a plane if all the methods have already been tried

There is no history of aerophobia, the knees at the gangway do not shake. The mood seems to be in order, others do not violate the rules of aviation etiquette. The back of the chair is lowered (the body instinctively seeks to take a horizontal position for relaxation), earplugs are in the ears, a light-tight mask is in front of the eyes – it’s not in vain that the “Subtleties” regularly remind you that you can have a good time in the air and even fall asleep with relative comfort.

So why is Morpheus still not knocking on the porthole and calling into his warm embrace? Perhaps some important little things were not taken into account – and, as you know, the whole point is hidden in them.

Booking a window seat

Here you can sleep leaning against the wall, and these are the most peaceful places: flight attendants do not rattle carts at your side, neighbors do not disturb when going to the toilet. Of course, if we are not talking about the extreme rows near the toilets themselves, where it is always noisy and uncomfortable. For tall passengers, seats at emergency exits (they will not be put there with children) or in the front rows with extra legroom are suitable. Vibration is less noticeable ahead (note to those who are motion sick), and places closer to the tail are considered safer.

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Preparing in advance

If your destination is in a different time zone, it doesn't hurt to prepare ahead of time for a jet lag. It is enough to gradually change the schedule, every day going to bed and waking up a little earlier if you have to fly east, and a little later if you are going west. On the eve of the flight, it is better to spend the day actively and not get enough sleep – slight fatigue will be very useful. Ideally, you need to shift your usual schedule by a number of hours equal to the time difference: for example, New York “lags” behind St. Petersburg by 7 hours, therefore, we try to fall asleep an hour later every day during the week.

Dress properly

Spacious clothing made of soft breathable fabrics, without seams and elastic bands cutting into the skin, does not hinder movement, does not rub and generally does not remind of itself once again. We advise you to choose something similar to your favorite home outfit: fans of bathrobes and combinations – a loose dress or a sundress, adherents of pajamas – a T-shirt with sports-cut trousers. This will create a sense of security and give the brain a signal to relax. Bring warm socks and a hooded sweatshirt with you, because the air conditioning on board is chilly. By the way, this is for the benefit of passengers: there is less chance of developing hypoxia (oxygen deficiency in tissues and organs) and the spread of insidious infections.

Flying on Tuesday

Tuesday, according to statistics, is the least popular day for flights: for reasons that are not fully understood, it is less often chosen for travel. This means that the salon may turn out to be half empty, and it will be possible to stretch imposingly on a whole row. The maximum load is on Fridays and weekends. At the beginning of the week, tickets are cheaper: everything that is not sold out over the weekend is offered with solid discounts.

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Taking the right side

It would seem that there is little difference: to sit in the left or right side of the cabin. But most of us are used to sleeping on one side, and it will be much easier for the body to adjust if this nuance is taken into account when choosing a place. The direction of flight and the time of day also matter: the plane moves from east to west – the sun shines on the left, from west to east – on the right, from north to south – in the morning on the left, and in the evening on the right, from south to north – vice versa. You can fall asleep on the sunny side only with the curtain down, besides, it is always hotter there than on the shady one.

What else to read on the topic

• 3 mistakes of passengers during long-haul flights – you make at least one
• Booked at the window, ended up at the skin : how not to be left without a cool view on the plane
• How tourists are deceived at airports: read and don't be fooled

We adjust the diet

No heavy food, less salty – sodium provokes bloating. It is wiser to limit fried, fatty and spicy foods even before the trip, but to lean on vegetables, fruits, nuts and dried fruits. Alcohol, despite the general misconception, is useless in the fight against stress, but it has been proven to accelerate dehydration, increasing the load on blood vessels and the heart. But you really need to drink water, at least a few sips every half hour.

Connecting equipment

Modern manufacturers supply tourists with all sorts of useful things: smart masks, earplugs, noise-canceling headphones – armor for the senses that are under real attack in the cabin. You can't do without a special travel pillow, but – what a surprise! – It is better to use it not according to the instructions. If you turn the “horns” back, the load on the neck will decrease, and the chin will gain a stable support. Excessive passion, lack of hygiene and other unpleasant manners of air passengers.

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Putting gadgets aside

Series, e-books and games entertain and help pass the time, but interfere with sleep: the screens of smartphones and tablets emit blue light, which, in turn, increases anxiety and interferes with the natural production of the sleep hormone melatonin. You can reduce the brightness of the display or download applications that regulate the intensity of the light flux, but the complete rejection of gadgets is still more effective.

Following your breath

Breathing exercises are a sure way to distract yourself from irritants and restore harmony, but you will not continuously perform them. But regularly concentrating on inhalation and exhalation is quite realistic and no less effective. It's good to turn on soothing music and imagine in detail an idyllic beach or snow-capped peaks: trite, but it works!