How to Sleep Better on Airplanes-comfortable on an airplane ~ Travel and Leisure

Getting comfortable on an airplane can be a real hassle, especially for people who are tall, or who have chronic conditions like joint pain or back soreness. Clearly, the airlines are not on our side with this issue, as it seems like the per-person spaces on airplanes only get smaller and more confining. Obviously, we're on our own with this issue, so if you want to learn how to sleep on an airplane, you're going to have learn the secrets.

And that's the hard part. We've all seen those people who seem to have no difficulty falling asleep on airplanes-who sit down and immediately drift into dreamland, and remain that way throughout that flight. At first, this ability is baffling, but if you actually ask these people how they do it, you might find that they have some very clever systems that help them sleep on airplanes.

But what is it that they do? Let's look at a few tips that make the rounds in veteran traveler circles.

Window seats: Reserve a window seat. This way, you won't have people climbing over you, and you'll have a nice wall to lean against. You'll also feel less exposed-like your space is more personal and private.

Prevent bathroom breaks: Be sure to hit the bathroom right before you board the plane, and don't drink too much for a few hours before your flight. Of course, on long flights you'll want to drink water eventually in order to stay hydrated, but save that for later in the flight. For now, sleep is the top priority.

Cushion: Many airport shops sell neck pillows, which are a great investment, but you may need more. If you have a window seat, you may want a pillow to go between your head and the wall. And that's not all: When you have a window seat, the bony part of your knee might start to get sore from leaning up against the wall, so bring something soft for your knee.

Eat beforehand: If you want to sleep better, give yourself a nice meal 2-3 hours before your flight. Make it big enough so that you'll still be full for a few hours after liftoff. Having a full belly will make you sleepier, and it will allow you to ignore all the in-flight meal ruckus.

Medicine: Take a sleep-inducing over-the-counter drug like Benadryl or Tylenol PM. These are strong enough to knock you out, but they're not so powerful that they'll prevent you from being alert if called upon. Especially if you're taking a long flight, prescription sleep aids can be even better. They have fewer hangover effects, they work more quickly, and they give you better quality sleep.

Block sensory stimuli: Earplugs are essentially, especially if there are kids sitting around you, and it's also great to have an eye-mask to block out any obnoxious light.