Everyone has been unlucky enough to have booked that early morning flight. Seemed like a great idea at the time; “we’ll get there early and have an extra day of vacation,” you said. But waking up at 2:00am to leave by 3:00am, so you could be at the airport by 4:00am for your 6:00am departure, can leave you sleep deprived and looking like you attended back-to-back-to-back bachelor parties! Have no fear — someone who’s been in your shoes (early flights, not multiple bachelor parties) — is here to help! Here are a few tips to ensure some well-needed shut-eye at 30,000 feet, no matter what time of day you choose to travel!
The main thing that most people wish they had more of on travel days is sleep. Most of us can catch a few hours during the flight, but for some travelers who are stressed about an upcoming meeting or just aren’t big fans of flying, it’s not that easy. For others, the infant across the aisle is making it impossible! This is when noise-cancelling headphones are your savior.
There are many makes and models available, with prices ranging from over $500 to just under $100. For those who want top-of-the-line innovation and want to flash a little label to the person sitting next to you, go with either the Bose QuietComfort 25 (an over-the-ear model starting at $270) or the QuietComfort 20 (an in-ear model that will set you back $240). By and large, these models offer the best noise-cancelling technology available. If you’d rather spend that $300 scoring concert tickets for the band you’re listening to, the Monoprice Noise Cancelling Headphones are the way to go. At $90, they are modeled after Bose’s popular QuietComfort 15s, but at a third of the price.
Combine the peace and quiet of noise-cancelling headphones with a meditation app, and you’ll be relaxed and ready to sleep in no time. Beditations is a great app that coaches you through a short meditation to lull you into a state of relaxation, and eventually, sleep. It also features an alarm clock and will wake you just before you land with another meditation, designed to wake you up refreshed and focused. If you’re on a short flight and need to relax, but not zonk out, try the Stop, Breathe & Think App, which features short (5-10 minute) guided meditations on everything from stress relief to fostering a greater sense of gratitude. Both apps are available for free (with in-app purchases) via the App Store and Google Play.
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