You’ve been reclining your plane seat all wrong – this is the angle most likely to induce sleep on a flight
The best position for snoozing in economy is only 'slightly reclined'. That's because it gives more support to your lower back while you sleep.
THERE are two types of people - those who can sleep on planes and those who spend hours staring at the seat in front of them.
If you do find it tough to get some kip on a flight, there are some simple tricks that can help you nod off - starting with the incline of your chair.
Andrew Lawrence, president of the Chiropractors Association of Australia, says the most conducive position for snoozing in economy is only “slightly reclined."
Passengers should then put a cushion at the base of the spine to help maintain the lumbar curve and reduce pressure at the junction of lower back and pelvis.
Andrew told: “As far as the skeleton is concerned, the pelvis – specifically the ischia or the hard bony things we sit on – and the area where the spine and pelvis meet are under the greatest pressure when we’re sitting upright and awake.
"But when we sleep the neck takes the biggest pressure."
He continued: “The best position for reclining is about halfway, which gives assistance with holding the head in place but doesn’t put too much backward pressure on the hips."
The chair incline isn’t the only game changer when it comes to getting rest on planes – it turns out that the vast majority of passengers are also wearing their travel pillows wrong too.
Dr Michael Breus - or The Sleep Doctor as he’s known to US television audiences — is one of the world’s leading sleep experts and a pro when it comes to sleeping in transit.
He told that we should really be turning those pillows upside down.
He said: “And one thing I tell my clients is that if you have a U-shaped neck pillow, turn it around so the bottom of the U is under your chin.
“That’s because your head tends to bob which will wake you up, and by rotating the pillow it stops your head from bobbing.”
