Sleeping on Flights: 5 Travel Accessories That Help

Sleeping on planes is not easy for every traveler, but certain travel accessories can increase your chances of getting some rest on a flight. If you're leery of using medicinal sleep aids, you can still improve the likelihood of falling asleep on a plane with any combination of the following:

1. Ear Plugs

The first step to falling asleep on a noisy plane is to dampen as much of the noise of the churning engines and the talking passengers as possible. There are ear plug travel accessories made especially for flights, that can both keep pressure headaches and earaches at bay and dampen the noise in the plane. Since the pain associated with pressure headaches and earaches is enough to keep some travelers awake, these dual purpose ear plugs are a necessity.

2. Eye Mask

Another reason that travelers have trouble falling asleep is that many of them fly during the day, when the bright light of the sun streams in through the plane windows. Even at night, other passengers might use artificial lights within the plane that can keep people awake. To block this light out, invest in an eye mask. The best eye masks for planes are made of comfortable, flexible foam. They may also cover the ears, which helps create a more quiet environment.

3. Music Accessories

Another way to create a peaceful environment on a plane conducive to sleeping is to drown out noise with calming music or sounds. Select peaceful music without lyrics or a collection of relaxing sounds like that of the rainforest, a waterfall or even white noise. Choose from multimedia player travel accessories and put in ear buds in lieu of ear plugs, or plug the music player directly into an eye mask with speakers.

4. Blanket

It can be difficult to stay warm on a plane, so you could pack a travel blanket in your carry-on that will comfortably cover your body. Blankets with sleeves cover every part of the body snugly and leave the arms free to hold a book or drink. Other travel blankets can more easily roll up to fit into small bags, although they won't cover as much. These can be used in conjunction with blankets the airline may provide.

5. Travel Pillow

Airplane seats are not the most comfortable cushion on which to fall asleep. You should bring travel pillows that support both your necks and back. Some inflatable travel pillows can roll up into a container the size of a soda can, making them ideal pillows to pack into a carry-on. Used in conjunction with a neck pillow made out of shape-conforming foam, you can have optimal support, even in economy class.

Travel accessories designed to help the traveler fall asleep on a plane can make a more peaceful and relaxing environment for you. Even if you can't fall into a deep sleep with these aids, you'll at least manage to rest better and decrease your grogginess after a long flight.