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Red-eye flights are simultaneously a life-saver and a giant pain in the butt.
Getty / Oscar Wong
In college, I lived an overnight flight away from my parents.
So, how can you survive and even thrive on a red-eye or long-haul flight?
Heres what 21 seasoned travelers do before, during, and after an overnight.
The best place to sleep is a window seat.
I like using the window as something to lean on.
Your seat neighbor will thank you for not leaning on them instead.
If you wake up to noise easily, stay as far from the galleys as possible.
Flight attendants work in the galleys during the flight and it can get noisy.
And frequent lavatory users should always take an aisle seat.
Kaipo Kauka, a flight attendant withHawaiian Airlines
Avoidbooking travelwith connecting flights.
This sets me up to sleep better at night.
Getting bright light in the day is also important, just like making sure its dark when you sleep.
Airplane food varies considerably in quality, and if you’re hungry you’ll also have trouble sleeping.
I wash my face, brush my teeth and put comfortable clothes on.
including thick socks and a long scarf that I can use as a blanket.
I purchased a few albums worth of ASMR that I bought on iTunes and keep on my phone.
Tingles ASMR is a decent app for downloading and discovering new ASMR artists.
As a side sleeper, sometimes I find this position more comfortable than straight up.
Airplane air can be very dehydrating, and high sodium intake will only make it worse.
Once you deplane, your stomach and complexion will thank you.
This is also a little mental trick, making me think it is the start to a new day.
I take the last hour of the flight to wake up and refresh myself.
A touch of non-aerosol hairspray helps to smooth out the static your hair may have accumulated.
I always change clothes before or immediately after deplaning to help me feel like I’m starting my day.
I pack a small steamer, change of clothes/shoes,makeup bag, hair brushes/styling tools.
Even if its a brisk urban hike, anything helps!
Kimberly Snyder, author ofThe Beauty Detoxseries, who travels around twice a month
