1. Aim for a 90 minute nap
If you're not going to get a full night's sleep, try at least sneaking a nap in.
2. Roll, Not Fold
When packing, rolling is more efficient and minimizes wrinkles.
3. Dress Right
If you're going on 5+ hour flight, I recommend dressing very comfy and in layers. Put on layers or take them off depending whether the temp's are arctic or boiling.
4. Small Cosmetics
I know we all like to like fresh after a grueling plane ride, but don;t pack your entire makeup bag! Just some BB cream and blush will do the trick, plus mascara and under eye concealer to look wide awake. If you want to forgo any eye products, just put on sunglasses- voila, you're done!
5. Make A Playlist
I have a playlist for everything... and you should for your plane ride. Set up a playlist for falling asleep (roughly 90 minutes) and getting energized before the plane lands.
6. Caffeine Nap
When the drink cart rolls around, take 1-2 cups of coffee and try to sleep before landing. This way, (it takes 20 minutes for caffeine to enter your system) you won't be dead tired when you land. (With the playlist, of course!)
7. Stay Hydrated
There's an app for that... drinking water! It's called Waterlogged, and available on iTunes. Drinking enough water will ward off a headache.
8. Pack Right
When packing, don't put all your shoes in one section, socks in another, etc. You want the weight to be balanced so your suitcase doesn't topple. For instance, if you're going to bring four pairs of shoes, put them in the corners to distribute weight evenly.
9. Re-Use
When packing, bring plenty of jewelry (or buy some as souvenirs) to make that jeans and blouse combo seem fresh and new.
10. Take Tablets, Not Books
This is probably the largest challenge for me- a carry on. I usually pack more books than I need, and end up only reading about 1 large book. So, I always make sure to charge both my tablets before, and only have to bring a small bag!
I hope you enjoyed this advice, and have a lovely day!