You don’t want to be that guy – the guy everyone stares at on a plane. You know the one, the one with his mouth open snoring his head off while everyone else looks on. Here are simple things you can do to avoid snoring on an airplane.
What Will I Learn?
Things to do to Avoid Snoring on Airplanes
Snoring at home is a problem. Snoring on an airplane can take an existing problem and make it even worse.
It’s bad enough when your snoring keeps a partner awake but causing a disturbance that affects your fellow passengers on a plane is something else.
Unfortunately, finding a good way to control your snoring while traveling on an airplane presents challenges you may not have to face at home.
Controlling your snoring with a CPAP machine may not be an option.
Even if you have a portable option, do you really want to sleep in a mask under the watchful gaze of an airplane full of strangers?
Anti-snoring pillows are also unlikely to be feasible.
They are too big and bulky to carry onto a plane and may not work correctly when you are sleeping in a seat instead of a bed.
However, although certain methods are unlikely to be possible, there are still certain things you can do to try and avoid snoring on an airplane.
Don’t Drink Alcohol
“Would you like anything to drink sir?… Madam?”
Unless the cabin crew is offering a warm drink, or possibly some juice, just say no.
Drinking alcohol during your flight is only going to make it more likely you will snore.
Alcohol relaxes the body. That may seem like a good thing if you are a nervous flyer.
Unfortunately, once the alcohol hits your blood, its ability to cause relaxation will work upon the muscles at the back of your throat.
This will make them more likely to vibrate while you sleep increasing the volume when you snore.
It’s not just a case of saying no to alcoholic beverages during your flight. It’s a good idea to avoid them for several hours preceding your flight as well.
The alcohol may help you to sleep during your flight but you could awake and find yourself the focus of lots of angry stares from your snoring.
Take Along an Anti-Snoring Device
There are many anti snoring aids to choose from – but some are some more convenient than others!
Although CPAP machines and snoring pillows are poor options to use during your flight, other options can be viable.
Mandibular advancement devices (MADS) and tongue stabilizing devices (TSDs) are very small and portable.
Due to the way they work, they have to be a good fit for the mouth.
That makes them a good fit for a pocket as well.
As with CPAP machines, you may feel a little self-conscious about people seeing you with the device in your mouth.
However, a carefully-placed scarf or handkerchief can hide a multitude of sins. The fabric will also absorb the moisture if the device causes you to dribble during sleep.
If you normally use a MAD or TSD to control your snoring, you won’t need any special preparations before boarding the plane.
If you don’t normally use the device, it’s a good idea to begin using it several days before your flight.
This will give you time to get used to sleeping with something inside your mouth.
If you are considering using a mouth guard to prevent you from snoring on the airplane, you will need to set it up as well.
Unless you get a one via your dental surgeon, you will need to mold the device to your teeth by softening it in hot water.
That’s not a task you will be able to do when you are cruising at 31,000 feet.
Strap Yourself in With a Snoring Chin Strap
Snoring chin straps fit over your head and lower jaw. When they are in place, they prevent snoring by helping keep your chin in place.
When you are not wearing the chin strap it’s easy to fold it or roll it up small.
Nice and portable, they are a no-fuss snoring solution that’s easy to carry onto an airplane.
Snoring chin straps are also one of the more comfortable options to choose. Unless you are traveling first-class, sleeping on a plane can be difficult.
It helps if your snoring solution doesn’t add to the problem and make it worse.
Wear Flight Socks
Wearing flight socks to try and avoid snoring on an airplane? This may seem a strange idea but it’s not as nutty as it sounds.
As you are probably aware, flight socks are a special type of sock that’s designed to prevent blood clots forming during your time in the air.
They reduce the dangers posed by long periods of inactivity by applying pressure to the calves. This prevents blood and other fluids from collecting there and forming a clot.
How does this affect snoring? You may be surprised. When fluid is allowed to collect in the legs during the day, it can become mobilized while you sleep.
If it moves up to the tissues around the neck and throat, it may cause inflammation that can restrict airflow and cause you to snore.
Obviously, it would be unwise to consider wearing flight soaks as your primary high-altitude snoring solution.
They are just an additional measure that can help keep the sound of the buzz saw in your throat under control.
Ensure Adequate Hydration
It’s important to keep your body sufficiently hydrated.
When you don’t it can cause fatigue, give you headaches, weaken your immune system, and cause many other undesirable issues.
Allowing yourself to become dehydrated also makes you more likely to snore.
When you fail to keep your body adequately hydrated, the membranes at the back of your throat create mucus.
Your body does this to protect the flesh from becoming so dry it cracks or tears.
The mucus’ presence impedes airflow, creating extra turbulence during respiration, making you more likely to snore.
If you are serious about trying to avoid snoring during your journey on an airplane, making sure you are adequately hydrated before and during your flight is important.
If you have a device or snoring chinstrap with you, that’s great, but why give them extra work to do?
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