Long haul flight

[Machakos]

In couple of weeks, DH and I are doing an 11 hour flight, arriving at our destination in the morning. I don't sleep on flights, so end up exhausted with the time difference. Is there anything I can take, or do, so I can sleep on the plane?

I take solpadol and I knocks me out for a few hours. I can't sleep on planes either but this does help. I also take eye mas, ear plugs and don't drink. On arrival I go to bed for 1-2 hours then I get up and I am fine.

Take a good eye mask, the ones on the plane are usually pretty thin. Also when I go long haul I make the whole plane trip a chance to really pamper my skin. I do a whole routine to keep it all lovely and nice as the air is so dry there.

You could do something like this to relax yourself, a bed time routine or something. Pop an eye mask on and some ear plugs and hopefully you might sleep?

We do quite a few long haul flights and rarely sleep. I accept that I'll be knackered & just think it's a means to an end.
Comfy clothes, easy books on kindle & a pashmina/scarf for the cabin.
Try & stay awake for as long as possible when you arrive & catch up with a couple of afternoon siestas.

A double gin & tonic normally does it for me

Failing that you could try going to bed late the night before (& getting up early) so that you're tired before the flight.

An eye mask & ear plugs would help or how about relaxation music on an ipod to lull you off?

sleeping on the plane isn't a great idea as the cramped position raises your risk of DVT - especially if drugged. Accept that you will be tired and jetlagged for a day or two on arrival.

drink plenty of water, walk around every hour or so. On arrival, don't even think of driving but change your watch and work to the new time zone. If you crash out at 8pm that night, so be it.

Oh forgot to mention having a seat that goes down flat into a bed helps lol! Plus I guess it would help with the DVT issue?

yes, a fully flat seat does indeed help. DVT isn't called 'economy class syndrome' for nothing.

personally I'd rather be a bit tired than pay the extra fiver a minute of flying time.