How to (Comfortably) Sleep on a Plane

Unless you have narcolepsy or you are one of the lucky few who can fall asleep anywhere and in any position, attempting to nap on a plane can be a difficult and exhausting feat. When sharing a sleep environment with a hundred other people, here are a few tips to keep in mind to ensure a few hours of shut-eye on a long-haul, overnight flight.

Select the best seat. Window seats offer a prime setup for resting your head and falling asleep more easily. Bonus: Other passengers won´t disturb you if they need to go to the lavatory or stretch their legs mid-flight. If possible, try to avoid the exit rows and last rows of the plane as the seats do not recline.

Arm yourself. Pack a sleep kit that includes an eye mask, travel pillow, comfortable socks and maybe an extra blanket to add to the one the airline provides. Toss in a pair of earplugs and/or a decent set of noise-canceling headphones, and prepare to enter a world of silence and solace.

Medicate (and avoid alcohol). A few over-the-counter meds may help seduce you into a peaceful sleep, but avoid going overboard. Try Benadryl, Dramamine or melatonin to help induce a sleep deep enough to feel rested but not too deep to leave you drowsy. Although alcohol can help you fall asleep, the rest will not be sufficient to keep you from feeling foggy upon waking.

Sweet dreams!