Planes and other vehicles often offer tight-fitting seats that can be uncomfortable for those who want to relax during hours of travel. The other obstacles seemed endless: uncomfortable seats, limited legroom, loud conversations and frequent overhead announcements. Andrew Varga, MD, a board-certified physician at Mount Sinai Comprehensive Sleep Center, says one of the main reasons people have trouble falling asleep while traveling, especially on international flights with changing times, is because they're trying to stay in a certain location. People who fall asleep at this time have "lower circadian rhythms and homeostatic drive," meaning it's not the time they normally sleep, so they're not as tired. Varga said another factor is the sleeping space, which is often cramped and does not allow you to lie down or change positions, except in the often expensive business and first class cabins.
"Not everyone's sleep depth is the same, and people who have any sleep problems at baseline often fall asleep in noisier, less comfortable environments, such as on airplanes," says board-certified psychiatrist, Sleep added expert Dr. Alex Dimitriu. Medical specialist. He points out that posture plays a big role in the discomfort we experience-anyone who's slept on a plane knows that "heads tend to tilt to one side or forward, which is uncomfortable and can cause problems in the neck." Pain, and [may even reduce respiratory efficiency."
"Sleeping upright is simply not a natural position," says Mayank Shukla, MD, a board-certified pulmonologist and sleep medicine specialist in New York City. "Our heads weigh about 10 pounds, and when we sleep upright, they sag around the neck, causing muscle strain and pain."
Experts say travel pillows can provide support for the neck and head, relieving some of the pain and discomfort associated with sleeping in an upright position while traveling. They are often portable, lightweight, ergonomically designed, come in different sizes to suit all types of people, and some have additional high-tech features such as temperature regulation. This could be a great tool for frequent fliers who want to maintain a semi-regular sleep schedule while traveling.
