OT: Sleeping on planes

[spilled_milk]

Hey all!!


I have a question. I'm going to spain on an exchange in five days (yay i'm so excited!!), but I can't sleep sitting up at all. not in cars, not sitting up in achair, nothing. However, I need to sleep on this plane. We leave at 4:30 PM on friday. However, we arrive at 3:30 AM saturday (9:30 AM Spain time). This means that we tour all of the next day until we go to our host families at 8:30 PM. This means that I MUST sleep on the plane!!!


Does anyone have any tips? Or any medications that might work? I'm not very good at swallowing pills though. Thanks!!


<3 Anya--

[crimgoddess]

I wouldn't do pills, especially if you havent taken any before and don't know how they react with your body. You don't want to take something that will not only knock you out, but keep you groggy the next day while you are on your tour/meet your host family.


I would purposefully sleep very little the night before- only half of what you usually get (you'll probably be so excited you won't sleep much anyway). That way you will be tired anyway, and more likely to drift off. LOL, when I go to Tasmania next week, I'm not sleeping at all the night before, so hopefully I can spend the 20 hours on the plane in ZZZzzzzz land


I would also bring a little pillow of my own- I have a hard time sleeping on the airline pillows because they are crunchy, so I bought a small travel pillow (it's really squishy and goes around your neck). And it may seem silly, but I bought a sleep mask.It helps to block out whats going on around you- the combo of sleep mask + MP3 or cd player with soft music is really effective in helping you drift off.


WOW, have such a great time in Spain! It's really a beautiful country, and I hope you are able to make the most of it


*amber*Edited by: crimgoddess

[purpleteacher]

I usually cannot sleep while traveling, but the plane is somehow different for me. The light lull of the plane puts me out almost instantly. I curl up in the blanket and put on my headphones and I'm a goner... hehe... The boredom of the flight usually gets to me, even with short flights.


In terms of helping you sleep - why not try some sleeping teas or something that you know will help you relax? Bring your favorite book or some of your favorite music. Dress comfortably for your flight and carry a better change of clothes for when you arrive at the airport. Take a small pillow or blanket with you if you think that might help. I always carry a small stuffed animal (yes, I still sleep with one too at 23 years of age!) because it helps me feel safer and more comfortable.


Get comfortable and do your best to relax. I also agree with what Amber said about not sleeping much the night before. Totally exhaust yourself so you will have to sleep! It might actually work... and I have done something similar in the past just to know I would rest on the plane.

[spilled_milk]

Lol you guys i will do all of those things!! I sleep with stuffed animals too...lol. my mom is gonna give me an eye thing, and I have this neck pillow, and i'll get a blanket and everything...so that will be good. I find when i'm trying to sleep i dont, so i'll just get wicked tired first! I dont know if i have enough room for a pair of jeans in my bag, so i'll probably wear jeans and a big shirt, and then change shirts in the airport.


Concerning hair...my hair is blonde and really straight, which means that it has no volume and shows grease really well. I'm a little worried about it not being washed for two straight days...any tips?


<3 Anya--Edited by: spilled_milk

[purpleteacher]

Hair tips: Get a travel size container of baby powder (or feminine powder because it is finer in texture)and put it in your roots if they get oily. I have long, straight, fine brown hair and it has done wonders to my roots when I ran out of time to wash my hair in the mornings in college. It was a quick fix. What you do is you sprinkle a bit on the scalp and then brush it through --- make sure the powder doesn't show (I have to be careful because my hair is dark). The powder will absorb the oil and make your hair smell fresh.

[crimgoddess]

Another trick for getting rid of oily roots that I stole from Charlize Theron's hairdresser is to spray some hairspray on the oily area, and then wipe it off really quickly before it dries. The hairspray absorbs the oil, and it's a really good quick fix when you're in a pinch.


That, or you can always do what I do when my it's day 3 after straightening my hair and I don't feel like doing anything with it (lol- I bathe everyday, but when I straighten my hair I try to make it last). Pull it back into a ponytail and wear a cloth headband. Stylish yet effective Not to mention if it gets humid where you are you won't have to worry about sticky hair glueing to your face.


*amber*

[spilled_milk]

Thanks you guys!! As I only have four more days, I am getting very excited!!


I think what i'm going to do is wear jeans and a tank top and sweatshirt on the plane, and bring a change of shirt/toothpaste/all that stuff with me, for after I get off the plane. I'm going to shower right before I leave, and put my hair into a ponytail immediately. They i'm gonna do the root thing when I arrive at the airport, probably have my hair up for most of the day, but maybe take it down. At least, I'll try to look presentable when I first meet my family! (of course, that could mean over-makeuping myself and hopping into the shower the first instant that I have time!)


Thanks! I'll update you guys before I go. To all, I will have access to a computer there, so i'll still be on here, just not as frequently.


<3 Anya--

[silver]

Above all...go and have a wonderful time!! It isn't going to matter in the scheme of things if your hair was gressy...when you look back on the experience you will have wonderful memories and it won't matter if you were a little past due for a shower...I think in France at least they only shower once a week anyways...when in Rome!!!!!


Just kidding....