The peak travel season is round the corner and as many Brits have booked flights for their much-anticipated holidays, one expert is raising awareness about the best tricks to sleep on a flight. While some may believe that sleeping on a plane is an elusive luxury, Mattressnextday sleep expert and CEO Martin Seeley argues that his tips can help you drift off the holidays easily.
One amazing advice from Martin is that where you sit on a plane can have a big impact on your sleep quality. “Reserving a seat on top of the engine can actually lead to quality sleep,” he said. “A gentle and consistent ham acts as a kind of white noise and helps you settle into a peaceful sleep. This concept is similar to how you use a white noise machine at home to improve the quality of your sleep.”
Not only does noise play a role, it also creates an environment where vibrations from the engine are soothed.
There is also a bonus for those who are prone to flight anxiety. “The seats above the engine often have less turbulence,” Martin said.
Another important tip is to prepare for your flight with a well-thought-out sleep kit, as it has been shown to reduce the number of times you wake up during your flight.
“Previous research has confirmed that flying socks can halve the number of times they wake up on planes,” he explained.
The kit should also have an eye mask to block out the cabin lights and a memory foam travel pillow to support the neck and head.
When it comes to sleep essentials, Martin warned travelers about the potential drawbacks of wireless earphones. They may be small and convenient, but they may not provide the best conditions for rest.
“Noise-cancelling headphones are especially effective in environments with high background noise,” he says, underscoring the importance of distracting with wired headphones.
“With wired headphones, you don't have to worry about running out of battery while flying.”
Other tips include adjusting the internal clock of your body before taking off by setting the clock to the destination time.
Martin added: “This simple act will help you begin adjusting your body's circadian rhythm – the internal sleep and wake cycle – to a new time zone.”
This minor shift helps minimize jet lag, allowing you to sleep more comfortably and quickly adapt to your new time zone.
