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![How to sleep like a baby when flying](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5ba9fb796a2df.jpg)
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See Also
See Again
© Shutterstock
0 / 30 Fotos
Lean back - Reclining your seat backwards will provide better rest than sitting upright.
© iStock
1 / 30 Fotos
Seat choice - Use websites like SeatGuru to determine which seats are in the best locations on specific planes.
© iStock
2 / 30 Fotos
Seat choice - You may want to consider splurging for extra legroom on longer flights for extra comfort and better circulation.
© iStock
3 / 30 Fotos
Seat choice - Although the emergency exit row offers extra legroom, be wary of choosing a seat here as the seat backs normally don't recline.
© iStock
4 / 30 Fotos
Window seat - Go for the window seat unless you're someone who goes to the bathroom a lot. It's much easier to fall asleep leaning against the wall.
© iStock
5 / 30 Fotos
Avoid alcohol - Alcohol can make you sleepy, but you'll only sleep for a few hours before waking up. Furthermore, it's likely you'll wake up with a headache and end up feeling as if you didn't rest at all.
© iStock
6 / 30 Fotos
Be careful what you eat - Big and fatty meals can make you feel uncomfortable or require your body to send more blood to your stomach and intestines to aid in digestion, preventing you from getting to sleep.
© iStock
7 / 30 Fotos
Uncross legs - Keeping your legs crossed while sleeping inhibits blood flow and can cause blood to pool in your lower body.
© iStock
8 / 30 Fotos
Uncross legs - It can also increase your risk of developing a blood clot on long flights, says the CDC.
© iStock
9 / 30 Fotos
Store the screens - The blue light from screens can keep you awake. Go for a book if you can't get to sleep right away.
© iStock
10 / 30 Fotos
Red-eye - Pick a red-eye flight if possible. Not only do they tend to be cheaper, sleeping will be easier as you'll be flying at night.
© iStock
11 / 30 Fotos
Avoid sleep aids - Many sleep medications can leave you feeling groggy and may have adverse side effects.
© iStock
12 / 30 Fotos
Avoid sleep aids - Some studies suggest that melatonin may be useful for adjusting your circadian rhythm and can be a better option if you need to take something to fall asleep.
© iStock
13 / 30 Fotos
Biological clock - Sleep experts say that our biological clock shifts about one hour in every 24 hours.
© iStock
14 / 30 Fotos
Plan ahead - Beat jet lag by going to sleep and waking up 30 min to an hour earlier every day for a week before your trip.
© iStock
15 / 30 Fotos
Day of the week - Depending on which day of the week you fly, you may get lucky enough to end up on a plane that is not fully booked. Tuesday nights tend to be the least busy day of the week to fly, increasing your chances of having an empty seat next to you to stretch out on.
© iStock
16 / 30 Fotos
Direct flights - Whenever possible, book a direct flight. It will give you the opportunity to sleep longer without interruptions.
© iStock
17 / 30 Fotos
Comfortable clothes - Comfort is key to solid sleep on a plane. Forget what people think and throw on your sweats or pajamas.
© iStock
18 / 30 Fotos
Caffeine - This may seem like a no-brainer, but limit caffeine intake or avoid it altogether if at all possible.
© iStock
19 / 30 Fotos
Ear plugs - Ear plugs can be a life saver on noisy planes, especially if you are seated near a crying baby.
© iStock
20 / 30 Fotos
Pillow - While a pillow can be great for your head, it's also a good idea to place it behind your lower back, especially if you are stuck in a middle seat. Sitting upright can put strain on your lower back.
© Shutterstock
21 / 30 Fotos
Comfort items - Bring a favorite shawl or cozy socks while flying. Comfort is key!
© Shutterstock
22 / 30 Fotos
Sleep mask - Planes can be bright, even if you fly overnight. A sleep mask will prevent you from waking up due to lights turning on and off.
© Shutterstock
23 / 30 Fotos
Neck pillow - Most people use the neck pillow with the opening to the front. Try turning it around so your chin is resting on the curved part of the pillow—it'll provide more neck support.
© Shutterstock
24 / 30 Fotos
Travel accompanied - Travel with someone you know and feel comfortable with, as it'll be easier to fall asleep.
© iStock
25 / 30 Fotos
Blanket - Bring your own blanket or use the one the airline provides. Keeping your body temperature warm will help promote sleep.
© Shutterstock
26 / 30 Fotos
Exercise - Plan ahead by doing some sort of vigorous activity before heading to the airport. You'll be more likely to sleep if you're physically exhausted.
© Shutterstock
27 / 30 Fotos
Worry - Try not to focus too much on falling asleep. The stress of thinking about falling asleep may prevent you from actually being able to. Expect to not sleep, so if you do fall asleep, it'll end up being a nice bonus.
© iStock
28 / 30 Fotos
Take off
- Have a restful flight! See also: What your sleep position says about your personality
© iStock
29 / 30 Fotos
© Shutterstock
0 / 30 Fotos
Lean back - Reclining your seat backwards will provide better rest than sitting upright.
© iStock
1 / 30 Fotos
Seat choice - Use websites like SeatGuru to determine which seats are in the best locations on specific planes.
© iStock
2 / 30 Fotos
Seat choice - You may want to consider splurging for extra legroom on longer flights for extra comfort and better circulation.
© iStock
3 / 30 Fotos
Seat choice - Although the emergency exit row offers extra legroom, be wary of choosing a seat here as the seat backs normally don't recline.
© iStock
4 / 30 Fotos
Window seat - Go for the window seat unless you're someone who goes to the bathroom a lot. It's much easier to fall asleep leaning against the wall.
© iStock
5 / 30 Fotos
Avoid alcohol - Alcohol can make you sleepy, but you'll only sleep for a few hours before waking up. Furthermore, it's likely you'll wake up with a headache and end up feeling as if you didn't rest at all.
© iStock
6 / 30 Fotos
Be careful what you eat - Big and fatty meals can make you feel uncomfortable or require your body to send more blood to your stomach and intestines to aid in digestion, preventing you from getting to sleep.
© iStock
7 / 30 Fotos
Uncross legs - Keeping your legs crossed while sleeping inhibits blood flow and can cause blood to pool in your lower body.
© iStock
8 / 30 Fotos
Uncross legs - It can also increase your risk of developing a blood clot on long flights, says the CDC.
© iStock
9 / 30 Fotos
Store the screens - The blue light from screens can keep you awake. Go for a book if you can't get to sleep right away.
© iStock
10 / 30 Fotos
Red-eye - Pick a red-eye flight if possible. Not only do they tend to be cheaper, sleeping will be easier as you'll be flying at night.
© iStock
11 / 30 Fotos
Avoid sleep aids - Many sleep medications can leave you feeling groggy and may have adverse side effects.
© iStock
12 / 30 Fotos
Avoid sleep aids - Some studies suggest that melatonin may be useful for adjusting your circadian rhythm and can be a better option if you need to take something to fall asleep.
© iStock
13 / 30 Fotos
Biological clock - Sleep experts say that our biological clock shifts about one hour in every 24 hours.
© iStock
14 / 30 Fotos
Plan ahead - Beat jet lag by going to sleep and waking up 30 min to an hour earlier every day for a week before your trip.
© iStock
15 / 30 Fotos
Day of the week - Depending on which day of the week you fly, you may get lucky enough to end up on a plane that is not fully booked. Tuesday nights tend to be the least busy day of the week to fly, increasing your chances of having an empty seat next to you to stretch out on.
© iStock
16 / 30 Fotos
Direct flights - Whenever possible, book a direct flight. It will give you the opportunity to sleep longer without interruptions.
© iStock
17 / 30 Fotos
Comfortable clothes - Comfort is key to solid sleep on a plane. Forget what people think and throw on your sweats or pajamas.
© iStock
18 / 30 Fotos
Caffeine - This may seem like a no-brainer, but limit caffeine intake or avoid it altogether if at all possible.
© iStock
19 / 30 Fotos
Ear plugs - Ear plugs can be a life saver on noisy planes, especially if you are seated near a crying baby.
© iStock
20 / 30 Fotos
Pillow - While a pillow can be great for your head, it's also a good idea to place it behind your lower back, especially if you are stuck in a middle seat. Sitting upright can put strain on your lower back.
© Shutterstock
21 / 30 Fotos
Comfort items - Bring a favorite shawl or cozy socks while flying. Comfort is key!
© Shutterstock
22 / 30 Fotos
Sleep mask - Planes can be bright, even if you fly overnight. A sleep mask will prevent you from waking up due to lights turning on and off.
© Shutterstock
23 / 30 Fotos
Neck pillow - Most people use the neck pillow with the opening to the front. Try turning it around so your chin is resting on the curved part of the pillow—it'll provide more neck support.
© Shutterstock
24 / 30 Fotos
Travel accompanied - Travel with someone you know and feel comfortable with, as it'll be easier to fall asleep.
© iStock
25 / 30 Fotos
Blanket - Bring your own blanket or use the one the airline provides. Keeping your body temperature warm will help promote sleep.
© Shutterstock
26 / 30 Fotos
Exercise - Plan ahead by doing some sort of vigorous activity before heading to the airport. You'll be more likely to sleep if you're physically exhausted.
© Shutterstock
27 / 30 Fotos
Worry - Try not to focus too much on falling asleep. The stress of thinking about falling asleep may prevent you from actually being able to. Expect to not sleep, so if you do fall asleep, it'll end up being a nice bonus.
© iStock
28 / 30 Fotos
Take off
- Have a restful flight! See also: What your sleep position says about your personality
© iStock
29 / 30 Fotos
How to sleep like a baby when flying
How to catch a few zzz's the next time you fly
© Shutterstock
Traveling is all fun and games until you try to fall asleep on an airplane. Dreading the effects of jet lag and a sleepless night, many people long to be able to get some shut-eye while flying.
If you're someone who has difficulty falling asleep on a noisy, bright, and uncomfortable airplane, check out the following tips on how to fall asleep and stay asleep while flying!
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