Please Don’t Attempt That Viral Airplane Napping Hack, Consultants Warn

A journey napping hack considered by tens of millions on TikTok and Instagram is giving well being and security specialists coronary heart palpitations. The airplane hack, which concerned lifting your ft from the ground to the seat, strapping them down tight with the seatbelt, after which decreasing your head in your knees, goes viral — with many vacationers testing the trick aboard an plane and posting it on-line.

One person posted that the hack was “life altering,” however specialists warn it’s not solely doubtless ineffective, it’s harmful and probably dangerous to your physique. 

“It’s not instructed to take a seat this fashion as a result of if there may be tough air, you’ll be able to jolt you ahead or up and down, and might threat accidents,” says Jasmine Khadija, who has been a mainline flight attendant for 2 years. “If there’s an emergency evacuation, It’s strongly suggested to keep away from any journey hazards together with belts and straps of any type across the ft space.” 

Well being specialists warn that whereas it might be snug for some, your physique just isn’t in an awesome place for relaxation, and it may possibly even trigger issues. 

“This place would not permit your physique to chill out totally and might trigger discomfort as a result of awkward curvature of your backbone and the pressure it places in your neck,” says Dr. Chelsea Perry, lead clinician and proprietor of Sleep Options. She additionally emphasizes that this place might trigger circulation points. “Whereas it’d work for a fast nap, it isn’t excellent for longer durations.”

“Any slight turbulence could trigger your head to bump your knees, presumably inflicting an harm, and the ahead head place can result in neck cramps and complications,” agrees Cali Bahrenfuss, CCSH, RPSGT, medical sleep well being educator and proprietor of Delta Sleep Teaching. “Having your head resting in your knees also can create a pinched or disrupted airway, resulting in loud night breathing or issue respiratory correctly whereas sleeping.”

Each sleep specialists agree that resting in a standard seated place, along with your legs ahead (and even a bit elevated if attainable), both barely reclined or along with your head to the aspect, is the most effective for the physique (and for the probability of sleep). They each additionally encourage transferring into completely different positions (significantly, transferring your legs) to be able to enhance circulation and hold your physique joyful. 

Khadija additionally notes that this TikTok hack could not even be attainable, as flight attendants will typically be round and let you know to take a seat correctly. “We’ll ask and advise to not sit that manner,” she says.

In different phrases? Greatest to depart this one on the apps.