Getting restful sleep while traveling can feel impossible. But new travel accessories aim to upgrade your comfort, even in economy seats.
Whether you’re gearing up for a flight or a road trip, finding the right tools could turn your restless journey into a rejuvenating one.
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Over the past 30 years, economy seats have become less comfortable. According to USA Today, legroom has decreased by 2 to 5 inches, while seat width has shrunk by two inches.
With less space to stretch out, it’s no surprise that in-flight sleep has become a struggle for many travelers.
Ergonomics expert Carla Jaspers told The Wall Street Journal, “Ideally, it is great if you can steal a couple degrees of recline from your seatback, just to put your body in a little bit more of a supported sleep position.”
Upgrading your sleep game
The traditional neck pillow is still a favorite for many, but travel accessories have evolved.
Some travelers are turning to cross-body inflatable pillows. These innovative designs support the neck, preventing the forward slump that often interrupts sleep.
Others opt for the Pluto Pod, a futuristic accessory offering a personalized fit. The pod includes a supportive design for your neck and chin, a built-in eye mask, and what the company calls “your very own sensory deprivation space.”
Other travel accessories to consider
If pillows aren’t enough, consider gadgets like the foot hammock. This simple tool relieves lower back pressure and boosts blood circulation during long flights.
Eye masks and noise-canceling headphones are also essential.
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Airplane lighting, sunlight and screen glare can disrupt your sleep, but eye masks help block out light and stimulate melatonin production.
Meanwhile, noise-canceling headphones help combat disruptive sounds like crying babies and chatty passengers. These tools can create a quieter, more peaceful environment for rest.
So next time you’re preparing for a trip, don’t just hope for a good nap –– plan for it. Sweet dreams, wherever you are!
[KENNEDY FELTON]
You’re packed and ready for your trip, but there’s just one thing left to figure out – how to get some actual rest during your long journey ahead.
Are you relying on the traditional neck pillow…
Or maybe you’ve seen this… a cross-body pillow designed to keep your neck in check.
Or perhaps you’re thinking of a futuristic option with the Pluto Pod – which promises the ultimate in-flight experience with a supportive design for your neck and chin, a built-in eye mask, and what they call “your very own sensory deprivation space.”
If in-flight sleep has felt impossible lately, you aren’t alone. Over the last thirty years, economy seats have shrunk by 2 to 5 inches in legroom and 2 inches in width. No wonder we’re all fighting for comfort!
“Ideally it is great if you can steal a couple degrees of recline from your seatback just to put your body in a little bit more of a supported sleep position,” says Carla Jaspers, an ergonomics expert.
Carla Jaspers tells the Wall Street Journal it’s important to have your neck and spine in a position that allows you to get it as neutral as possible for a long flight.
But if you’re the type to just lean forward on the tray table, she also says the contact pressure can decrease your blood flow and irritate your sleep.
In-flight sleeping is possible, and there are many different companies who are making it their mission to create the most innovative options.
If you’ve already found your perfect pillow, there are other gadgets to consider, like a foot hammock. This travel accessory claims to relieve lower back pressure and boost blood circulation.
The classic eye masks and noise-canceling headphones could work for you too. Airplanes often have cabin lights, sunlight through windows, or screens nearby. Eye masks block that out to help your brain produce melatonin, which is the hormone that regulates sleep.
And don’t forget about the crying baby or passengers talking around you. Disruptive noise can help disrupt sleep and noise-canceling headphones can help block that out.
So next time you’re boarding your flight or buckling up for a road trip, don’t just hope for a restful sleep – plan for it. Sweet dreams – wherever you are!
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