Summer has officially begun, meaning many of us might be planning a holiday or two in the coming months.
Flying to your destination by plane is often the only option for travelling, especially if you're going somewhere far away, which can make people feel anxious for a number of reasons.
Struggling to sleep on a flight is something that a lot of travellers face, which is a real problem especially on a long-haul flight. But one simple hack can help make dozing off easier - and it's all to do with your shoes.
Sleep experts at Bed Kingdom have shared some of their most important advice on how to fall asleep whilst travelling by plane, and they're said to work on people of all ages.
One tip that you may not have even considered is to loosen your shoelaces before going for a nap, as this can help to improve your circulation, allowing you to sleep longer and more comfortably.
The experts said: "Keeping your shoelaces too tight for an extended period of time can end up compressing nerves and restricting blood circulation to your feet, allowing your feet to fall asleep midway through your sleep. So, loosening your laces on the plane can help reduce any discomfort and help maintain healthy circulation, which can therefore help you sleep for longer.
"Also, consider wearing comfortable slip-on shoes or travel socks on your flight instead of shoes with laces to provide more freedom for your feet while you sleep.
As well as this, the experts also recommend avoiding alcohol on a flight - although it can be tempting to enjoy a pre-holiday drink or two in the airport.
Alcohol and caffeine can make you dehydrated and interrupt your sleep pattern, meaning you spend less time in the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of a snooze, which will make you feel more tired when you wake up.
Finally, if you want to doze off on a long-haul flight and not waken suddenly halfway through, your seating position could be making all the difference.
It's recommended that you don't keep your legs crossed while trying to sleep, as this can limit the blood flow on one half of your body, leading to excess pressure put on the spine.
The experts said: "Over extended periods of time, this can make you uncomfortable and wake you up, therefore disrupting your sleep. Instead of crossing your legs, make sure to keep your legs parallel with your knees slightly bent for the ultimate plane sleeping position.
"It’s also recommended to adjust your leg position periodically during your flight, stretching your legs where possible and moving your feet and ankles to promote circulation, reduce swelling and enhance comfort."
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