Why Can't I Sleep When I Have a Flight?

Why Can't I Sleep When I Have a Flight?

Have you ever had a flight coming up, and no matter how hard you try, you just can’t seem to get any sleep? It is a common problem that many people face before they travel. Whether it is the night before your flight or trying to sleep on the plane itself, sleep can be hard to come by. So why does this happen, and what can you do about it? Read on.

Image: A photo of a row of black and grey aeroplane seats in an empty cabin.

Why You Can't Sleep When You Have a Flight

Pre-Flight Anxiety

One of the most common reasons people have trouble sleeping before a flight is anxiety. Even if you are not afraid of flying, there is still a lot that can be on your mind. Maybe you are worried about making it to the airport on time, packing everything you need, or whether you will get through security smoothly.

All of these things can cause your brain to stay active when you should be winding down for sleep. Your body may be ready to rest, but your mind is running through a checklist of things to do, and that makes it hard to relax enough to fall asleep.

Excitement About the Trip

On the flip side, maybe you are not anxious at all, but you are just really excited about your upcoming trip. Whether it is a vacation, a visit to family, or even an important business trip, excitement can make it difficult to fall asleep.

When you are thinking about what you are going to do once you get there, what the trip will be like, or even how fun flying can be, it is hard to turn off that excitement. Sometimes, being too excited can have the same effect as stress.  It keeps your mind buzzing when you really need it to settle down.

Body Clock Issues

Sometimes, sleeping on a flight can be tough because your internal body clock, also known as your circadian rhythm, is not aligned with your flight time. For example, if you are flying overnight, your body might not be used to falling asleep at that particular time, especially if it is early in the evening or in the middle of the day where you are.

Travelling to a different time zone can also throw off your sleep schedule, making it even harder to drift off.

Noise and Distractions

Aeroplanes are full of distractions that can keep you from getting a good rest. There is the hum of the engines, announcements from the cabin crew, the sounds of other passengers talking, babies crying, or people getting up to use the bathroom.

All of these noises can make it difficult to fall asleep, especially if you are a light sleeper. Even wearing headphones or earplugs might not fully block out the distractions, leaving you struggling to relax and drift off.

What Can You Do?

Here are a few tips that might help improve your chances of sleeping before and during your flight;

• Pack and get everything ready the night before your flight so you won't have to stress about it at the last minute.
• If you are worried about missing your flight, set a few alarms or ask a friend or family member to give you a wake-up call. That way, you will feel more at ease and can relax a little.
• Avoid caffeine or sugary drinks in the hours before your flight, especially if you plan to sleep.
• Block out noise and distractions by wearing earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones to create a quieter environment.
• Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, which can make you feel tired and uncomfortable.