Get Better Sleep When You Travel
By Sara Butler
Flying isn’t exactly conducive to a great night’s rest. Those seats seem to shrink each time you get on a plane -- it’s just not a great environment for rest! But there are some things you can do to make sleeping on an airplane a little bit easier so you can arrive at your destination fresh and ready for what lies ahead. Here are a few tips to help you get better sleep when you travel by plane.
Before You Go
There are a couple of things that you should do before you go to set yourself up for success. You should:
- Hit reset on your body clock – If you’re traveling to another time zone, then try to shift your routine in the same direction a couple of days before you leave. You don’t have to switch completely to the new time zone at this time, but this strategy helps to slowly adjust your body clock so you won’t feel so out of whack.
- Get your affairs in order – Take some of the stress off yourself by making sure you take care of business before you go. That way, you can relax on the plane instead of worrying about what you need to do.
- Wear comfortable clothes – Planes are uncomfortable enough, no need to add to it with your fashion choices. Wear loose-fitting clothing and breathable material. Pack a change of clothes too.
When You’re On Board
Once you board your flight, you can make things more conducive to rest if you:
- Turn off electronics – Don’t watch television or a movie if you’re trying to sleep. The blue light can mess with your sleep hormones and make resting even more difficult.
- Don’t drink – While alcohol may be available on flights, if you’re looking to get some rest, then you shouldn’t partake.
- Drink water – Flying can make dehydration worse and that can make jet leg worse too. Stay hydrated by drinking water at every opportunity and stay away from caffeine.
- Get a sleep mask – You’ll be more comfortable and rest easier if you can block out light, so get a sleep mask or a light visor to help.
- Headphones – A good pair of noise-canceling headphones can really help when you’re on a plane. It’ll help with engine noise and with the guy next to you who wants to talk your ear off.
You can be comfortable on a plane and get good rest while in route to your destination. Try these tricks to help!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Snellville, Ga.