How do you fall asleep on a plane? Additional questions inside.

So I have about 40 hours of traveling by plane to do this summer. Alone. This is not my first time on a plane, I’ve been on them since I was like four years old but since then we have never gotten along. Earlier, I had terrible motion sickness that translated into some of the most horrible hours of my life. Now the motion sickness has mainly gone away, but I still have trouble with planes. I flew from Canada a week ago and I was miserable because I wasn’t able to sleep for a minute of the 7 hour overnight flight duration. Luckily, the plane had individual entertainment screens that probably lost me a few years of eyesight in the long run.

Okay, now to the question. This will be my first time traveling alone (all 40 hours) and the longest flight duration is 15 hours. I NEED to sleep during this time otherwise I will be bonkers (and yes, I really did use that word) when I get off the plane. I obviously can’t take sleep pills because I don’t want to wake up with a) my luggage stolen b) my head on the shoulder of the poor stranger that is seated next to me. So I am looking for suggestions and also for your experiences/stories with planes and being able to be semi-comfortable on them.

Also, I always carry my mp3 player and books with me. Somehow, I am unable to read on the plane (for me, its like reading in a moving car, some of you know what I mean) but I will try again anyway. I plan on buying a bunch of used books and leaving them all over the place world? for bookcrossing once I am done reading them. I am considering purchasing one of those traveling pillow cushion things. Also, I am 20 years old so I can’t drink alcohol to make me feel drowsy.

Sorry if I sound sort of maniacal and like I am exaggerating the situation, but I have patience issues and am terribly bored within minutes during these trips. And the thought of being on a plane for that long without being able to sleep is nightmarish.