Dress Wisely
The keyword here is layers. You can never anticipate the temperatures on the plane, and wearing layers will help you adjust yourself accordingly. A nice cardigan and a large shawl that can also be used as a blanket should sort you out. When your body’s temperature is regulated. it’s easier to fall asleep. Also, ditch any jeans or business pants and opt for leggings or sweatpants. Think of stretchy, movement-friendly material that won’t make your legs fall asleep when you’re busy trying to do the same thing.
Mind What You Eat and Drink
Have your last pre-flight meal three hours before take-off. Choose a food option that isn’t too heavy on the stomach and isn’t too spicy or greasy. Those kinds of food might trigger acid reflux, which you definitely want to avoid when you’re up in the air. Almonds can be a great pre-flight snack. They are bursting with amino acid, which produces serotonin — the sleep hormone. Pair it with a nice cup of tea (chamomile is probably best) and you’re golden. On the plane, avoid alcohol or anything with caffeine (duh) or processed sugar. Hydrate with water and nothing else.
No to Movies, Yes to Books
The blue light that most screen-electronics emit messes up with our body’s melatonin, which makes it hard for us to fall asleep. Turn off your monitor and pick up a book instead.
Blanket First, Seatbelt Second
We don’t mean to say blankets are more important than seatbelts. What we mean is that you should buckle up *on top* of your blanket (or previously-mentioned shawl). This way, the flight attendant won’t have to wake you up to make sure you’re seatbelt is indeed fastened.