The staff of the Strategist debate the best way to sleep on planes, including the best sleep masks, sleep aids, ear plugs, and more.
Welcome to Sleep Better Week on the Strategist, where we’re helping you find everything you need to get your best rest — from testing the most comfortable mattresses to asking nosy questions about other people’s sleep routines.
For more, head to our Sleeping on planes is awful; bringing the right gear helps. Strategist writers have strong feelings on a lot of things — see us debating whether to— and as it turns out, how to sleep on planes is another highly activating topic. Below are our tried-and-true techniques, including the ugliest yet most reliable blackout sleep mask and the neurotic yet essential nighttime kit one Strategist writer brings with her on every flight.When I sleep on planes, I point the overhead air nozzle directly at my face like a laser. I sleep very hot so I take any chance I get to stay cool.: I wear an N95 mask because I always get sick on planes, but they suck to sleep in — my ears start to hurt.I would guess that dry air is making you sick from germs you pick up in the airport more than the plane germs. If you wore a bandana tied loosely to keep the sinus and throat moist, it would probably have a similar effect.Always compression socks. I like the Sockwell ones. They keep blood and lymph from pooling in your feet, which makes your feet hurt and shoes not fit. I feel less hungover when I wear them versus when I don’t.: earplugs, blackout mask. The Manta Pro is the best because it is very lightweight. I also think a footrest really helps; I usually just use my personal item, not a bespoke product. The Manta Pro is so ugly, but it’s the only one I bring on international flights. Everything is adjustable and it blocks out all light. I also like the Drowsy and Brooklinen silk eye masks.I’ve long been a MZOO fan. It seems to hold up better than other brands, which start delaminating after a while.found pillows to be all that useful, but I’ve never had a good one! I usually ball up my sweatshirt and use it as a pillow if I’m in the window seat. Comfortable clothes in general are key for sleeping.Big-time leaning down on the tray table! It’s the only way I can actually doze off. I’m also packing layers in my under-seat bag — I am always freezing, which makes sleeping impossible.If space allows, I will bring my own blanket or ideally a sleeping-bag liner. I love my Sea to Summit liner, but I recently lost it on a trip to Africa.I got these BDG track pants last year at a press event, and they have been my favorite traveling pants since. They’re not too tight at my waist, even in the weird pressure zone that is an airplane. My boyfriend always says I look very cool in them.The Le Bon Shoppe Arc pants don’t lose shape, even after nine to 12 hours straight of wear, running through airports and getting a little sweaty. The waistband doesn’t dig in, and I don’t notice it, but it stretches enough to accommodate whatever weird things happen to your body when you fly.For really long flights, I pack my toothbrush and toothpaste in my personal item so I can brush my teeth. The ritual of brushing teeth and taking out contacts makes it feel like bedtime.I pack a whole mini nighttime thing in a Ziploc quart bag .to be landing-ready during the daytime. I cannot stand not having a washed face or mouth, no matter the flight. It’s neurotic but worth it. I take any electrolytes that come in the stick packets and melatonin — I like Moon Juice’s. I like to bring herbal tea on planes, any rooibos. You can go ask the flight attendant for hot water or wait for the cart.We hope they will eventually, but it’s a crapshoot. The oldest has been watching stuff on her iPad or plane entertainment for the entire flight, including even flights to Asia, since she was 7. With our toddler, we try our best to do the bedtime routine — try to have them eat at the appropriate time, bring the usual bedtime books to read, sing the bedtime songs — but it’s a tough age.Putting them in the car seat helps. They get sleepier all contained. We are going on a plane soon and I will be bringing Yoto Mini with headphones and this sleep stories card.The 108 Best Deals From Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, According to a Deals Editoris designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read aboutThe 108 Best Deals From Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, According to a Deals Editor4:44 p.m.Yesterday at 3:15 p.m.*Sorry, there was a problem signing you up.You'll receive the next newsletter in your inbox.New YorkNew York*Sorry, there was a problem signing you up.
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