11 travel accessories that help me sleep on long-haul flights and red-eyes

Advertisement

Vitamins that help you get a good night's rest

Vitamins that help you get a good night's rest
SugarBear Sleep Vitamins, $29.98, at Amazon

These berry-flavored gummies are filled with melatonin, lemon balm leaf, and other herbs designed to help you get a good night's rest. I have personally used these vitamins for several flights now, and they are easy to take and consistently work for me.

Advertisement

A handy tool to convert your sweater into a pillow

A handy tool to convert your sweater into a pillow
Flight Fillow, $15.97, at Amazon

This is one of my favorites because it lets you turn any sweater or jacket into a cozy travel pillow. Consider this option if you hate dragging bulky pillows around on long international trips.

Advertisement

A travel pillow with chin support

A travel pillow with chin support
BCOZZY Travel Pillow, $29.97, at Amazon

This travel pillow is a must-have if you want to sleep upright and need extra chin support. You can attach it to your handbag or carry-on for easy transport, and it's versatile enough to be used in several different sleeping positions. The BCOZZY is firm enough to provide support but also soft to the touch — making it ideal for anyone who needs a firm pillow but doesn't want to feel like they're laying their head on a rock.

Noise-canceling headphones to mute noisy neighbors

Noise-canceling headphones to mute noisy neighbors
Bose QuietComfort 35 II Headphones, $299, at Amazon

If you want to drown out the sounds of babies crying and flight attendants shuffling carts around, you'll benefit from some noise-canceling headphones. You can spend a lot or a little on a pair, but these ones received high praise.

Advertisement

Compression socks that can help reduce swelling

Compression socks that can help reduce swelling
SKINEEZ Hydrating Compression Socks, $16.47, at Walmart

These compression socks promise to firm, hydrate, and revitalize your skin during long flights with a combination of shea butter, apricot kernel and rose hip oils, vitamin E, and retinol. They were also designed by an orthopedic surgeon to help relieve leg swelling, poor circulation, and travel-related discomfort.

Cozy pants for post-meal comfort and sleep

Cozy pants for post-meal comfort and sleep
Live Lite Joggers for Women, $120, at DUER

DUER's Live Lite Joggers for women offer versatility, comfort, and — most importantly — a drawstring waistband. I wear mine on overnight flights when I want to have plenty of snacks and sleep comfortably.

Weightless Denim Beachcomber for Men, $129, at DUER

These men's denim chino pants are ideal for travel since they are made of stretchy material, are ultra-lightweight, and have built-in moisture and temperature control.

Advertisement

A multifunctional jacket designed for travel

A multifunctional jacket designed for travel
Bomber 2.0 Travel Jacket, available in men's and women's styles, $199, at BauBax

There's a reason this travel jacket is frequently rated one of the world's best. Most styles come with a built-in inflatable neck pillow, hand-warming pockets, an inflatable footrest, a travel blanket, and hidden pockets galore. Hooded styles also come with a pull-down eye mask that helps you get to sleep.

A travel blanket that will keep you cozy and warm

A travel blanket that will keep you cozy and warm
World's Best Cozy-Soft Microfleece Travel Blanket, $10, at Amazon

If you don't want to be stuck using the tiny, thin blankets offered on long-haul flights, it makes sense to bring your own. Amazon offers this 50-by-60-inch lightweight fleece blanket that can be rolled up and conveniently fit into your carry-on.

Advertisement

Relaxing mist to help you snooze

Relaxing mist to help you snooze
Calm Sleep Pillow Mist, $19.99, at CVS

Calm Sleep Mist from CVS uses a blend of lavender, frankincense, and chamomile essential oils to help you ease into a blissful sleep. This portable mist is small enough to fit in your bag and perfect for those who want a quick spritz of calm before they hit the hay.

Essential oils with a sleep-inducing blend

Essential oils with a sleep-inducing blend
Everyone Essential Oil Sleep, $10.62, at Amazon

This blend of lavender and cedar wood essential oils is ideal for travel since it's small enough to bring on a plane (only .45 fluid ounces) and meant to be massaged into your neck and shoulders before bedtime. While it smells great, and it's not too strong, meaning you won't overwhelm your neighbors if you use it.

Advertisement

A thick eye cover to keep out bright light

A thick eye cover to keep out bright light
Herschel Eye Mask, $9.99, at Amazon

While most airlines turn the cabin lights off during regular sleep hours, you never know when you'll be stuck beside someone who watches in-flight entertainment or their iPad all night. Bringing a thick, portable eye mask can help you catch some Z's when bothersome light might otherwise prevent it. This Herschel Eye Mask is thicker than the complimentary ones you get on planes, which is why I always keep it in my backpack.