I don't ever sleep on long-haul flights, unless I have two or three open seats and can stretch out (hardly ever happens), and I don't take drugs. I just tough it out, doze as much as I can, get up and stretch a couple of times, and arrive with a major dose of optimism that I'll be so excited to be in Europe that I'll make it through the day. I get as much sunlight and exercise as I can the first day, keep moving, eat lightly, take regular breaks for a coffee or tea or cool drink, take a shower in the late afternoon, go out for a light and early dinner, and tuck myself in bed by 10 pm at the latest the first night. I'm fine for the rest of the trip.

A couple of drinks and a guided meditation on my mp3 player helps quite a bit. I don't exactly sleep but it gets me through.

thanks again everyone, I love the lavendar pillow, hoodie, guided meditation ideas, plus the good advice about being outdoors and getting good exercise the first day. Will let you know how it goes.

Replying a little late here, but in the past I've taken regular Dramamine (for air sickness), which happens to have ingredients that cause drowsiness. It kills two birds with one stone for an overnight flight and works a charm.

Sometimes I'm tired enough though that a simple eye mask and ear plugs work wonders.

soggier: wow, I sit next to the same husband who I also want to kill...one time he fell asleep waiting to board the plane, I almost left him in the waiting area...

I'm going to ask my dr about Ativan, sounds good, I definitely need drugs on the plane, thanks

I'm a very light sleeper, and it's very difficult for me to get to sleep, even in good conditions. It's awful on a plane. However, earplugs, making sure I'm hydrated (to avoid jet lag), eyeshades, and either melatonin or (if that doesn't work) xanax or benadryl.

Keep in mind that both Atavan and Xanax are benzidiazepines and as such have a wide range of side effects that are potentiated by alcohol, so skip the wine and see your doc first before taking. People who should not be taking these drugs include pregnant and lactating women. If you have sleep apnea know that benzodiazapines are CNS depressents and could make the apnea worse while it is in your system. Side effects become more common as you move into your senior years. One more caveat, if taking these drugs to sleep on the flight and are renting a car, be a passenger, not the driver for a day.

I vote for sleeping pill and alcohol. It always does the trick...not too much! And NO coffee or cola. Ear plugs, neck pillow, eye mask, remove shoes (I always wear birki's for flying as they are easy on and easy off), loose clothing. Keep a bottle of water at your seat so you don't have to get up or wait for one. Aisle seat always. And eat that dinner! It's too long and you don't want to wake up starving and have to wait for them to serve bkfst. It helps if you get on the plane tired out, so get up early and go for a walk before the airport.

Unless you are flying in first class taking a sleeping pill can be very dangerous to your health.
You may develop DVT in your legs because you are not able to move around .

I was interested to see the comment re Ativan, as I think it's the drug I used many years ago to help me through a very stressful time - divorce. It certainly worked for me then, but I would have never thought of it as a one-time sleeping aid on an airplane! And I don't think my doctor would prescribe it for that, as it's an anti-anxiety pill.

Anyway, I agree with St. Cirq's comments, as I never sleep on the plane either and would never take a sleeping pill to do so. I spend time walking around at my destination, don't nap, and try desperately to stay awake until 10:00 PM. Never have jet lag the next day.
However, I do after I get home. Maybe that's because the old routine isn't nearly as exciting and fun as Paris (or whereever)!

I'm a mess after I get home, too. I think it's a combination of the east-west flight and the fact that I'm not a happy camper coming home from anywhere.

Have toddler wipe out on you (or already sleeping toddler transferred to your lap), nuzzle cute little toddler head, pass out.

Worked like a charm.

The thing that would most help me sleep on long haul overnight flights would be a pistol. I'd use it to pop off the ass who waits until I just manage to drop off to head down the isle using the backs of the seats to haul him/her self along. Some of them really give the seat a jerk, and a sleeper risks whiplash, as well as a sleepless night.

Sorry for the rant, but it's one of my pet peeves, along with seat back kickers in the theater. It is so easy to steady oneself with a hand on the overhead bins, rather than disturbing the sleeper wanna-bees.

"It is so easy to steady oneself with a hand on the overhead bins, rather than disturbing the sleeper wanna-bees."

Yeah sure. If you can reach the overheads.

Nukesafe....I so agree...people are so clueless about using other people's seats. I have had my hair pulled more times than I can count. You should be able to walk up and down the aisles without using seats to pull your self along...I will give a pass to those with physical issues that require some help to move in a plane. But usually, it's just clueless, thoughtless half-wits. Glad to know someone else feels my pain. (I also hate gum-poppers too !

Valid point, november_moon, but if you are that tiny you could reach way up and grab the arm rests.

I also understand that you have to grab anything handy to steady yourself when the plane is bouncing around ---- but few people are sleeping when that is happening. It is the inconsiderate slob that jerks the seat backs just to move forward that gets my goat.

I actually had a nose to nose confrontation once with a chap who was literally doing exercises in the isle while waiting his turn for the bathroom. He had a hand on each seat back, and was vigorously swaying back and forth like he was rowing a boat.

That's my seat. I paid for it. Don't touch!

Hi

After numerous attempts over the years the following works for me:

1. neck pillow: not the stifling U shaped one but the cylinder shape filled with micro beads eg. http://www.cuddlebuddy.com.au/catalogue/c23/c28.
2. sleep mask
3. iPod or similar. Load up a soft music playlist and play it through your earphones at the lowest possible volume to drown engine drone.
4. one Restavit: an over the counter med - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doxylamine

I'm more of a mess when I get home. Even though I can sleep more easily sleep on the plane. I think it's because when I get home I'm so happy to see the pets and be home that I didn't usually get out and take a really long walk like I do when I arrive.

The last time we flew in to LAX and drove home from there so I was ready for a long walk after being in the car for an hour, I felt the jet lag release quickly.


I've been thinking of getting one of these for my next flight.
Has anyone tried it?

http://www.amazon.com/TravelRest-Ult...2705769&sr=8-1


tiny url if you prefer:
http://preview.tinyurl.com/3rsnp8w

I also use Xanax as mentioned by several others. It is not a sleeping pill per se, rather an anti-anxiety med. I still don't get "a good night's sleep". Personally for me that is impossible on an overnight flight. I've never really slept on a plane. But it does help me doze off now and then. I use the airline provided headphones and listen to music to dull the cabin noise.

nukesafe, the other one that bugs me is when people pull on the seat in front of them to stand up. I understand some people have bad knees or don't have the leg strength, but man, they really tug the seat backwards when they yank on it!

I feel your pain. Leaving tonight... will let you know how it goes!