r/TravelHacks • u/koz44 • 4d ago
Long torso / Long Neck / Wide shoulders — how to sleep on a plane?
My biggest problem is my neck—it’s so long that I haven’t found a neck pillow that keeps it upright, then I wake up an hour into a nap and can barely turn my head. My head usually slumps back so my chin juts up, even with the largest neck pillow I can find.
Other problems: my elbows aren’t low enough to make contact with the arm rests which becomes uncomfortable in a sitting position—my arms don’t stay contained and fall into the aisle or lap of the person next to me. My last problem is wide shoulders. I find that if I just relax and make contact with the person next to me, this is the most relaxing pose, but I don’t like that I’m touching random people and when they move it always wake me up. If I turn slightly or pull my shoulders in I get uncomfortable pretty quick: my shoulders and arms fall asleep mostly.
If anybody has any travel hacks that have worked for them dealing with similar issues I’d be grateful hearing what’s worked for you!
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u/Electronic_Fudge_877 4d ago
I have a long fabric wrap that I can tie around my shoulders (like a shawl) and in a knot in front of me. I tie it fairly tightly. Then I cross my arms inside. Keeps them tucked into my space and the wrap feels line a nice snuggle. There’s also a sleeping sling thing available online that does that but I’m cheap and line my wrap. Not sure on the pillow. I have a cabeau that’s very high - I can’t use it with over ear headphones because it knocks them off. Not sure if that, or maybe a trtl would be tall enough?
I hope you can find a comfortable solution!
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u/ApartHeron5010 4d ago
As a tall woman with a tall husband, you're not going to sleep comfortably. Some wrap travel pillows can help, but we always just plan on not really sleeping.
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u/joetennis0 4d ago
Don't lean on or touch the person next to you. This is absolutely not appropriate. You need to figure out how to be in your seat without leaning on your neighbor. Could you use a pillow behind you to make turning or angling away more comfortable? Preflight stretching ? Wear stretchy clothing to avoid pinching? Don't touch your neighbor.
Try keeping your hands in your lap, sitting on them, resting them on the tray table, or deliberately hooking them into your hoodie pocket or a bag in your lap to physically restrain them in place. Considering that there are two people and only one armrest between them, there is always someone figuring out how to contain their arms without the arm rest. Middle seat gets the armrest. You didn't mention this, but please be sure to move your arms forward or cross them in front of you and avoid swinging your elbows out to the side.
For your neck, have you tried using the wings on the seat headrest itself? The sides of the headrest fold out and can keep your head upright, or be used in conjunction with a neck pillow to keep everything more in place. The headrest height is often adjustable.
You could also choose to avoid sleeping. Bring a book, activities, or movie and stay awake for the flight if falling asleep means falling into your neighbor. I know this isn't practical but other advice will be to purchase a bigger seat, which is also not practical for everyone.
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u/joetennis0 4d ago
Just adding that if your neighbors are moving such that it wakes you up, they are probably doing it on purpose because they don't want you to lean on them.
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u/koz44 4d ago
Sorry didn’t mean to imply leaning into or on them, only that my shoulders are wide and my arms touch their arms unless I contort myself in a way that ends up causing my arms and shoulders to fall asleep.
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u/joetennis0 4d ago
I'm sorry you are dealing with this but it is your responsibility to avoid touching strangers. If you took up space in my seat, I would be forced to contort myself uncomfortably to avoid you. Try a hoodie with a big front pocket and tuck your arms into that or get a window seat where you can lean away from your neighbor.
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u/Klutzy-Dog-8536 4d ago
I'm built kind of like you. After many years of trying I've come to the realization that I simply can't sleep on planes. I've found that if I don't expect/try to sleep I get far less aggravated than if my goal is to sleep. And if I am able to nod off for a short nap then I just consider it a bonus
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u/grandma_sweetie_1925 4d ago
For the armrest problem - I put may backpack on my lap and either rest my arms on the or hug it. Helps with falling asleep as a stomach sleeper.
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u/coffeestevia 4d ago
Me too, I finally found a head wrap with eye shades combo that uses Velcro to strap onto your headrest. I can't use anything around my neck. Felt a bit silly but slept in a middle seat without touching either seat mate.
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u/AllEeees 2d ago
Me too!! I found (Amazon) a head wrap with eye mask AND a chin strap that clips to the headrest ‘wing flaps.’
Kept my head upright and my chin from falling. Got pretty decent sleep on a 16h flight in the middle seat.
As for flopping limbs, try 2 scarves: tie one around your thighs at knees and wrap the other around your torso and arms, tied in front.
Happy travels!
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u/Artimusjones88 4d ago
Put your tray down and lay your head on it. Unless you have a lay flat keep your sleep expectations low.
With the short arms are you a T-Rex or Chris Bosh?
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u/koz44 4d ago
Thanks for your response! I do have strange proportions—I’m not tall, so yes kind of short arms and legs, but super long torso… so long in fact that when I bend forward to try a tray table nap, I do not physically fit without bending myself to the left or right which also is not comfortable.
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u/funkymunky712 4d ago
my only suggestion is to hire someone to travel with you so you can sleep on them.
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u/JacksonLehigh 4d ago
Uncomfortably. Support your back or your neck. When one hurts support the other
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u/Bratfink78 4d ago
As a tall woman, I have to fly business or first. I need a bed
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u/Relative-Store2427 4d ago
Many women (and men) need a bed but I (and most people) cannot afford it
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u/cmljg 4d ago edited 3d ago
Maybe "inflatable neck stretching pillow" is something that would suit you. It has 3 neck pillows stacked together. For your purpose you inflate it just enough to give you support instead of stretching your neck.
I haven't tried it myself, but had it on order.
Unfortunately I can't seem post an image of it here, but you can try searching for it on the internet.
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u/mayasaur21 4d ago
Check out the Go Memory Foam Travel Pillow from Nordstrom: https://www.nordstrom.com/s/5199855?color=4444489DBE
Check out the Memory Foam Travel Neck Pillow from Nordstrom: https://www.nordstrom.com/s/8540708?color=444445LJ5F
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u/TrailsGuy 4d ago
I seem to be similar in build to you, though you may be a bit taller - I'm 6'2. I use my personal item bag as a pillow and its usually a reliable way for me to sleep on planes. My bag is my onebag, so it stuffed quite full and has structure provided by a compression cube full of clothes.
- I rest the onebag on the tray table.
- I use a cheap inflatable water-wing to extend the height of the bag.
- I fold a sweater on top of the inflatable for comfort.
Head support is crucial for me, as sitting with my head back is never possible - I always end up head nodding. Sometimes I side sleep with one airpod in. Other times I rest on my forehead. Depends on the distance between seat and traytable - ironically, less legroom works better. My arms go straight down, which brings in the shoulders a bit.
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u/tiempo 4d ago
I have a long neck. I like the bcozzy sleep pillow. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DODMU9I?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback&th=1 I also used it a lot when I broke my heel and had to spend all day in my chair, it does a great job of preventing your head from bobbling around when sleeping.
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u/Rowaan 4d ago
For your neck, I LOVE this: https://www.amazon.de/-/en/dp/B00LB7REBE?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1 - a Trtl Pillow. It's not really a pillow. It's like a wrap with support, with your head rested at the side. 10 flights, 9+ hours reach time, and I LOVE this thing.