Sleeping on a plane
Discussion
I’m a really good sleeper on planes. Before our child came along I’d be asleep before we took off 80% of the time. Not sure there’s any secret or skill to it but the following may help.
Take one of those neck rest things, some earphones with music and an eye mask. Also try to be tired when you get on the plane (don’t sleep too much the night before). I’d be tempted to stay away from iPads and phones etc. Reading always makes me tired.
Best of luck.
Take one of those neck rest things, some earphones with music and an eye mask. Also try to be tired when you get on the plane (don’t sleep too much the night before). I’d be tempted to stay away from iPads and phones etc. Reading always makes me tired.
Best of luck.
There was a thread on here a while ago with folk saying get melatonin tablets which you can buy over the counter apparently.
If you’re going to the US get some of these: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Equate-Nighttime-Sleep-...
I’ve got some, if you take them a few hours before you need to sleep they seem to work.
If you’re going to the US get some of these: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Equate-Nighttime-Sleep-...
I’ve got some, if you take them a few hours before you need to sleep they seem to work.
RammyMP said:
There was a thread on here a while ago with folk saying get melatonin tablets which you can buy over the counter apparently.
If you’re going to the US get some of these: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Equate-Nighttime-Sleep-...
I’ve got some, if you take them a few hours before you need to sleep they seem to work.
Be very very careful with that, especially if mixing all the advice above (i.e. sleeping aids + alcohol).If you’re going to the US get some of these: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Equate-Nighttime-Sleep-...
I’ve got some, if you take them a few hours before you need to sleep they seem to work.
I travel regularly to America and Asia (11+ hour flights) and used to take either a prescription UK drug (like zolpidem) or over the counter American ones such as diphenhydramine (the one linked) or Doxylamine. I would drink a little bit as well. I stopped with the sleeping tablets when I woke up at home one Sunday morning and had absolutely no recollection of getting off the plane, going through customs, driving home (!!) or saying hi to my wife and children. Very scary.
Overall, just drink a few vodkas and/or beer.
Going to sleep, and staying asleep, are two different things.
Going to sleep:
- Get on already tired
- Eat a meal before you board, so you're not tempted to stay up for the meal service
- If you drink, one or two won't hurt. Don't use it to knock yourself out, though. And avoid beer/lots of liquid as you don't want to wake up just for a pee.
- If you are travelling through an airport with a spa, get a massage before the flight. Makes a huge difference to my readiness to sleep.
Staying asleep:
Your enemies are light, noise and other people climbing over you.
- Get a window seat. Bonus if travelling economy - you can lean against the wall, especially if the neck pillows don't work for you
- Use a good eye mask
- Earplugs or even better, in ear phones and play white noise. I have playlists downloaded of waves and rain noises, just for this.
- Ask the crew if in business, or your seat mates if in economy, to not wake you for meal services.
Going to sleep:
- Get on already tired
- Eat a meal before you board, so you're not tempted to stay up for the meal service
- If you drink, one or two won't hurt. Don't use it to knock yourself out, though. And avoid beer/lots of liquid as you don't want to wake up just for a pee.
- If you are travelling through an airport with a spa, get a massage before the flight. Makes a huge difference to my readiness to sleep.
Staying asleep:
Your enemies are light, noise and other people climbing over you.
- Get a window seat. Bonus if travelling economy - you can lean against the wall, especially if the neck pillows don't work for you
- Use a good eye mask
- Earplugs or even better, in ear phones and play white noise. I have playlists downloaded of waves and rain noises, just for this.
- Ask the crew if in business, or your seat mates if in economy, to not wake you for meal services.
I travel business class fairly often as I need to be awake and able when I arrive and the only way I can sleep on a plane regardless of how much I drink or,within reason, what I take. The wife will fall asleep on a Ryanair flight however, leading me to consider putting her in Economy if only she wasn’t the reason we can afford Business!
Worst flight ever was back from Seattle when I had taken my sister over to see the new house as she had some time off and was before could comfortably afford Business class on the way back took some sleeping pills and had a couple of whiskeys fairly early on only for her to keep me up so she didn’t get bored. I remember in between my sister, the crazy lady next to me who insisted on telling me roughly every hour that she flew separately from her hubby so the kids wouldn’t be without parents should the plane go down, being in the middle 2 of the 4 of a 747 it was not my favourite flight!
Worst flight ever was back from Seattle when I had taken my sister over to see the new house as she had some time off and was before could comfortably afford Business class on the way back took some sleeping pills and had a couple of whiskeys fairly early on only for her to keep me up so she didn’t get bored. I remember in between my sister, the crazy lady next to me who insisted on telling me roughly every hour that she flew separately from her hubby so the kids wouldn’t be without parents should the plane go down, being in the middle 2 of the 4 of a 747 it was not my favourite flight!
RammyMP said:
There was a thread on here a while ago with folk saying get melatonin tablets which you can buy over the counter apparently.
If you’re going to the US get some of these: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Equate-Nighttime-Sleep-...
I’ve got some, if you take them a few hours before you need to sleep they seem to work.
You cannot buy melatonin over the counter in the UK, and even if you could it may not be effective.If you’re going to the US get some of these: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Equate-Nighttime-Sleep-...
I’ve got some, if you take them a few hours before you need to sleep they seem to work.
You can buy Nytol though, which will make most people sleep through a flight. You may feel crappy for a few hours in the morning though and it can leave a bitter taste in the mouth.
croyde said:
I'll second that Nytol. Amazing for an over the counter supposedly herbal drug.
I need to know that I'm doing nothing the next day though as it's almost impossible to stay awake and end up like a zombie.
I am talking about regular Nytol, which contains diphenhydramine hydrochloride. I am not sure how effective the herbal version is.I need to know that I'm doing nothing the next day though as it's almost impossible to stay awake and end up like a zombie.
So said:
croyde said:
I'll second that Nytol. Amazing for an over the counter supposedly herbal drug.
I need to know that I'm doing nothing the next day though as it's almost impossible to stay awake and end up like a zombie.
I am talking about regular Nytol, which contains diphenhydramine hydrochloride. I am not sure how effective the herbal version is.I need to know that I'm doing nothing the next day though as it's almost impossible to stay awake and end up like a zombie.
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