How do you sleep on a 10 hour flight?

How do you survive a 10 hour flight?

Ten hours. A blink, a lifetime. Clouds whisper secrets, engines hum a drone. Survive? No. Transcend.

Game the system. Always. My lucky seat, 28A, aisle. Freedom. Legroom stretching into the blue.

Shift the schedule. Days before. Tiny adjustments, a dance with time. Awake when the sun forgets me.

Movies flicker, podcasts soothe. Download. Always download. My curated world, floating above oceans.

Busy hands, busy mind. Keep busy. A book unfinished, a notebook filled with dreams. Idle hands…no.

Knock yourself out. Melatonin’s gentle kiss. Not a cure, a help. Sleep steals hours, a thief in the night.

Local tongue? Unnecessary. My silence speaks volumes. The world unfolds itself regardless.

Treats. Oh, the treats. Bring plenty. Dark chocolate, a comfort. Nuts and dried fruit. Sweet escape.

Self-care. A travel-sized spa. Moisturizer against dry air. A face mask, a hidden smile. The world fades.

The drone. It pulses. It never changes. Ten hours ends.

Expanded Information:

• Game the System:

  • Sign up for airline loyalty programs. Points equal upgrades, better seats.
  • Use seat selection tools (SeatGuru). Knowledge is power.
  • Consider flying off-peak. Less crowded flights, more space.
  • Always check your flight schedule for delays.

• Shift Your Schedule Beforehand:

  • Gradually adjust your sleep schedule by an hour or two each day.
  • Adjust meal times to match your destination’s time zone.
  • Avoid caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime. Sleep. Sleep. Sleep.

• Download Movies and Podcasts Ahead of Time:

  • Check your airline’s in-flight entertainment options.
  • Subscribe to streaming services. Options for offline viewing.
  • Download audiobooks. Let stories fill the space.

• Keep Busy:

  • Pack a good book, physical or digital.
  • Bring a journal and pen. Write, reflect, create.
  • Learn a new skill using an app.
  • Crosswords and Sudoku

• Knock Yourself Out:

  • Talk to your doctor about sleep aids.
  • Use a sleep mask and earplugs. Block out distractions.
  • Invest in a good travel pillow. Neck support is key.
  • Avoid alcohol. It can disrupt your sleep.

• Practice the Local Language:

  • Download a language learning app (Duolingo).
  • Learn basic phrases (greetings, thank you).
  • Watch movies or TV shows in the local language.

• Bring Plenty of Treats:

  • Pack your favorite snacks. Avoid processed foods.
  • Stay hydrated. Bring an empty water bottle to fill after security.
  • Consider electrolyte tablets or powder.
  • Avoid sugary drinks.

• Do Some Self-care:

  • Bring travel-sized toiletries. Moisturizer, lip balm, hand sanitizer.
  • Wear comfortable clothing. Loose-fitting clothes are best.
  • Get up and walk around the cabin every few hours. Circulation is important.
  • Do some stretches in your seat.
  • Hydrate. Water will become your best friend.
  • Meditate. Inner peace.

Is it possible to sleep comfortably on an overnight flight?

Man, overnight flights. That 2023 flight from JFK to London? Brutal. I swear, I paid extra for a “premium economy” seat, and it was still cramped. My legs felt like noodles after six hours. The window seat was supposed to be a plus, but the guy next to me kept hogging the armrest. Jerk.

I brought my trusty travel pillow, a silk eye mask – fancy, I know – and noise-canceling headphones. But seriously, that baby cried for hours. No joke. I wanted to scream. The earplugs helped a little, I guess. But not enough.

My comfy clothes? Didn’t matter. The air conditioning was arctic. I was freezing my butt off. I bundled up in my gigantic, fluffy scarf. That helped, somewhat.

Melatonin? Nah, I didn’t need it. Stress kept me awake. The turbulence didn’t help, either. Seriously, that plane bounced around like a bouncy ball. I needed a stiff drink, not sleep. Water, though. I drank tons of water. That was smart. Avoid alcohol, they say. I heeded that advice, unlike some people.

Next time, I’m taking a daytime flight. Or, better yet, a private jet.

• Seat Choice: Window for privacy, aisle for bathroom trips. Neither were optimal on this flight.
• Essentials: Travel pillow, eye mask, noise-canceling headphones (a MUST), comfortable clothing, and a warm blanket.
• Hydration: Drink plenty of water. Skip the alcohol and caffeine.
• Other tips: Don’t sit next to a screaming baby. Bring earplugs. Pray for minimal turbulence. Consider a daytime flight.

How to entertain yourself on a 10 hour flight?

Books. Fine. A distraction, nothing more. Tolstoy, perhaps. Or trash, whatever dulls the edge.

Movies. In-flight entertainment. Doubtful taste. Still, ten hours is ten hours. My phone has better options.

Music. Podcasts. White noise is preferable. Unless it’s early Miles, which is never white noise. Ever.

• Books/E-books:

  • Bring options. Variety is the spice, even in the air.
  • Consider download size. Limited storage is a modern curse.
  • Read something challenging. Or don’t. Who cares?

• Movies/TV Shows:

  • Download before boarding. Airport WiFi? Ha!
  • External battery? Essential. Power outlets are always broken.
  • Bring headphones. Not those awful airline ones. My Sennheisers are a must.

• Music/Podcasts:

  • Make playlists beforehand. Spontaneity dies at 30,000 feet.
  • Noise-canceling headphones are your friend. Seriously. They are.
  • Explore new genres. Or stick to the familiar. Safe bet.

• Other Options:

  • Sleep: The only truly efficient use of time.
  • Write: Compose hate mail. Never send it.
  • Stare out the window: Existential dread, a free upgrade.
  • Learn a new language:“Donde esta el bano?” is surprisingly useful.
  • Plan world domination:Details are important.
  • Meditate: Find inner peace or complete boredom.
  • People Watch: Observe human circus. Never judge.
  • Edit Photos: Edit those travel photos. Finally.
  • Play Games: Consider downloading a new game.
  • Talk to people: Or not. Social anxiety is a modern luxury, isn’t it?
  • Draw or Sketch: Revisit old times.

• Sharp Punchline

  • The flight’s over. Then what?

How often should you get up on a 10 hour flight?

Move. Hourly.

Every hour. Get up. Stretch. Avoid DVT. 10 hours is long. Who sits still that long anyway? My back screams after 3. Walk the aisle. Judge the tiny pillows. Repeat.

• Frequency: Hourly.
• Duration: Short bursts.
• Purpose: Circulation. Sanity.

DVT? Deep Vein Thrombosis. Nasty. Happens on long flights. Blood clots. Not fun. Happened to my aunt Carol. She was never the same. Now, she walks every 30 minutes. Scares the cats.

Key is movement. Not optional. Remember Carol.

How do you prepare your body for a long flight?

Long flights. Hydration is key. Water. Always water.

Pre-flight: Nutrient-dense meal. No airport garbage. My rule.

In-flight: Avoid processed foods. Seriously. My gut hates it.

Movement. Essential. Aisle seat. Stand. Stretch. Every hour.

Mindfulness. Not woo-woo. Stress reduction. Proven benefit. Deep breaths.

Sleep. Melatonin helps. But not too much. Jet lag sucks.

• Hydration: Water, not sugary drinks.
• Nutrition: Focus on protein and healthy fats. Avoid sugar crashes.
• Movement: Frequent stretching. Circulation is vital. Walking if feasible.
• Mindfulness: Controlled breathing. Reduces anxiety. My go-to.
• Sleep: Optimize your sleep schedule beforehand. Melatonin, sparingly.

2024: My routine. Works for me. YMMV. Flight 874 to London, last month. Smooth.