A passenger rest cabin situated in the overhead crown area of an aircraft provides individual rest compartments along either lateral side of a central longitudinal corridor of limited height. The corridor and entrance thereto is configured to minimize the risk of claustrophobia by providing sensory preparation systems and techniques. Sensory preparation including transitional compartments with variations in video, lighting and ventilation are presented to the passenger to create a more inviting space. The limited height corridor is equipped with a series of handholds, sized and spaced according to the size of the average passenger, to mitigate the strain of traversing the corridor in a bent over position.