There’s something about napping on a plane
Anyone who knows me or reads this column on a regular basis knows that I am a travel fiend who jumps at the chance to hop on a plane and get away for some fun.
Somebody asked me a few years ago how I developed such a love of travel, and I really don’t have the answer. I’ve always loved reading about different places and watching television shows about travel. I love learning about how people live all around the country and the world, and it’s just so much fun to go exploring. I’ve always been that way.
With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that I just got back from a week away at the beach. My hubby and I booked the first flight out in the morning (as many folks do), which had us setting the alarm at an entirely unacceptable time of 3 a.m. Luckily, I have never had a problem sleeping on an airplane.
As soon as we start backing out (and sometimes even before), I’ll be nodding off in my window seat. Maybe it’s the gentle vibration of the engines that lulls me into a relaxing state, but I’m like a baby in a car seat falling asleep as soon as we start moving.
The only key part of me sleeping on a plane involves snagging a window seat. I’m short, so I don’t need a lot of legroom, but I’m also a side sleeper who doesn’t like to sleep sitting up straight. I tend to lean my head to the side against something. I’ve developed a sort of routine when I get a window seat, using one travel pillow under my elbow on the armrest or padding my shoulder against the side of the plane and another neck pillow above it to pad my head leaning against the side of the plane.
Always travel with a hoodie, shawl or extra shirt or jacket that you can throw over your shoulder along with socks (to cover your feet when kicking off your shoes on a long flight). Conversely, I’ve also started toting a little battery-powered fan that hangs around the neck. It seems to me in recent years that cabin temperatures tend to run hot – or maybe it’s just me!
I was pleasantly surprised on a recent flight when I was able to nod off while sitting up straight, thanks to one of those bendable headrests on the back of the seat. My hubby usually falls asleep sitting in the aisle seat (he likes the legroom) and ends up with his head falling forward. I’ve seen different styles of travel pillows with one even looking like a stiff neck wrap that’s supposed to hold up your head. I’m curious to know if those really work, so please let me know if you’ve tried one!
Kristin Emery can be reached at kristinemery1@yahoo.com