Let us first start by saying sleep is paramount! Red-eye flights are not recommended. Often immediately after I take one, I vow “never again”.. yet somehow a red-eye sneaks in my schedule every few months.
We all have our reasons for taking the red-eye:
- Not wanting to miss an event at home / spending more time at home
- Maximizing ‘productive’ hours by traveling at night (debatable assertion!)
- Pushing back travel to the last possible moment
- Saving money on cheaper flight
- Reducing time and costs for hotel, etc.
This past week I was overwhelmed with work and admin to the point I could not fathom keeping the original schedule that had me flying all day. Needing every single one of those productive day hours and more, I decided to push the flight to the following night and arrive at 6AM. This reminded me of the red-eye protocol I’ve refined over the years. Below are highlights of what to do before, during, and after a red-eye flight to function at your best.
- Secure a strategic window seat*. This provides a bit more room and a surface to lean against if desired. It also helps minimize disturbances and protects against direct hits from the beverage cart (ouch!) or passengers stumbling through the aisles..
- Sound-proof and light-proof your ride. Wear your favorite comfortable ear plugs and/or a noise-cancelling headset, along with an eye mask / eye pillow or other acceptable solution for blocking out light. You never know when you will encounter an overly-chatty pilot over the PA speakers throughout the flight or a loud passenger nearby. Light is also your enemy, and you want to be able to black it out, even if all the people around you have their personal overhead lights on.
- Layer your clothing. There can be freezing red-eye flights and steamy hot flights. Most commonly you’ll experience a mix of the two, as an overly frigid flight can become balmy from over-correction. Be prepared. I layer a tank top under a comfortable blouse, plus have a hooded wrap sweater than can double as a blanket and provide darkening cover for my eyes. I prefer compression socks for flights longer than 3 hours; otherwise comfortable socks are a must. A neck pillow is key to avoid straining your neck, as it will help mobilize your head and also provide some comfort.
- In the days prior and throughout your entire trip, boost your immunity through proper nutrition, supplementation and hydration. Consume plenty of Vitamin C, Vitamin D and Zinc. And get quality sleep – this is arguably more valuable than any of the vitamins alone. Allow the flight night be your one ‘off’ night for sleep and focus on good sleep all other nights.
- Hydrate in the days prior and after. Abstain from drinking too much in the hours before flight to prevent mid-flight bathroom breaks. Try to adapt your eating schedule ASAP to the new time zone. Don’t eat late the night of the flight – Eat before you leave home, and don’t plan to eat anything until the next morning – this will help you adjust to a new time zone.
- Upon landing, have handy in your carry on some refreshing essentials, such as toothbrush and travel toothpaste, a cooling energizing mist spray &/or toner pads. A quick face wash and spritz can do wonders immediately after landing.
- Strive to stay awake most all of the day you land. If you have access to a shower after arrival, take a quick cold shower – as cold as you can stand. Cold showers are a great hack for mental alertness and physical fatigue. If you have time for a nap or two, keep each nap around 30 minutes. Some may function well with longer naps, but I personally become groggy after 35 min. I will aim for one 30 minute nap in the afternoon around 3 or 3:30pm if possible.
- Strive to walk or move throughout the day following the red-eye to keep up your energy. A brisk walk outdoors, especially in crisp cool air, is wonderful.
- Make a point to get quality sleep the night after you land. Excuse yourself from cocktails or late dinners to get to bed early. Avoid alcohol.
Typing this, I am a few days after the red-eye and admittedly botched #9 last night in getting barely 5 hours of sleep, with another long travel day ahead. I’ll take extra vitamin C and such today, and proceed with caution into the weekend!
*First Class is always a given, if possible!
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