How to sleep well on planes and trains

Here are tips from Joey Hadden, an experienced travel reporter for the New York Post, to help you sleep well on planes and trains.

Traveling by plane and train is a convenient and quick way to explore new places, but it can also cause fatigue and sleep loss for travelers. To enjoy the journey comfortably and healthily, preparing sleeping clothes is very important.

Bring the necessary items

One of the factors that affect the quality of sleep is light and noise. On planes and trains, you may encounter situations such as sunlight or cabin lights glaring at your eyes, engine noise or surrounding passengers. To minimize these effects, you should bring a sleep mask, headphones and earplugs. A sleep mask will help you create a dark space for your eyes, headphones will help you listen to soft music or relaxing sounds of nature, and earplugs will help you isolate annoying noises.

You should also bring anti-motion sickness medication if you are prone to motion sickness. Anti-motion sickness medication will help reduce nausea, dizziness and drowsiness. However, you should consult your doctor before using the medication and read the instructions carefully.

Choose comfortable clothes

The clothes you wear can also affect your sleep. Choose loose, soft, and breathable clothing, such as hoodies, joggers, and fuzzy socks. These will keep you comfortable, warm, and not stuffy or stuffy. You should also avoid tight, rigid clothing with lots of zippers, buttons, or pulls, as these can cause discomfort and pain while you sleep.

Tires the body

One effective way to help you sleep better is to tire yourself out before you travel. You can do some active activities like hiking, jogging, cycling, or exploring a new area on foot. These activities will help you burn off energy, improve your health, and make it easier to fall asleep during your trip. You should also avoid activities that are too strenuous or require a lot of concentration, as these can cause insomnia and stress.

Watch TV and listen to soft music

An important factor in helping you fall asleep is your mood. You should choose light, fun, and relaxing content to watch or listen to before going to bed. You can watch your favorite movies, funny shows, or documentaries about places you want to visit. You can also listen to soft music, lullabies, or natural sounds such as ocean waves, birds chirping, or rain. This content will help you reduce stress, create a sense of peace, and make it easier to fall asleep.

For air travel, you can use the in-seat screen to watch your favourite shows, or bring your tablet, phone or music player to watch or listen to content you’ve downloaded. For train travel, you can do the same, or use the train’s free wifi to access online content.

Create a sense of familiarity

Another way to help you sleep better is to create a sense of home while you are on the road. You can bring your favorite personal items such as a neck pillow, a small blanket, a book or a souvenir. These items will help you feel more comfortable, cozy and close. You can also create a personal space, reducing the feeling of stress and pressure of traveling. You can do this by rearranging the furniture on the chair, hanging pictures or loving messages on it, or lighting a scented candle if allowed.

(According to 24h, January 8, 2024)

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