5 Best Ways to Survive a Red-Eye Flight
Cursing yourself for booking another cheap red eye? Overnight flying can be more manageable than you think. Below we share the 5 best ways to sleep on the plane, allowing you to arrive at your destination well-rested and recovered.
Four words: Book a window seat.
No one likes being woken up by a friendly seatmate or two needing a mid-flight bathroom break. The double bonus? You can lean against the window for some more comfortable shut-eye if sleeping straight in your chair is not your favorite choice. If you’re someone who likes to get up a lot to stretch your legs and not have to nudge a neighbor to get out, the aisle seat is your next best bet.
You know what they say, "Early bird gets the worm." Board the plane as soon as possible. It's okay to be one of those people who are rushing to get to the front of the line. Why? Most economy seats are stingy with their blanket and pillow, so you want to be the first to snag one if you want to stay warm. Or, you can simply bring your own.
Bring a backup.
And by backup, I mean warm scarves and an oversized hoodie in case you don't have a blanket in-flight.
Book the late-night red-eye.
If you're departing later into the evening, many folks are much more likely to fall asleep in a not-so-spacious seat assignment.
Practice mindful practices.
A simple body scan can act as a natural sleep aid to make air travel more comfortable. How do you do this? As you get settled in your seat, start at the top of the head and imagine a warm golden light filling you up. Work your way all the way down to the tips of the toes, if you get there! You may find yourself dozing off earlier than you’d imagine.
Also, check out these great yoga stretches to prep your mind (and body) pre- or post-flight!