Who doesn’t love a good vacation? New foods, new sights, and new experiences make for a nice break from reality. However, vacation also means a new sleeping environment. Many of us experience difficulties sleeping away from home, but there are measures you can take to ensure a poor night’s sleep doesn’t ruin your trip.
Consistency is key
Whether you’re staying at a hotel or with a friend, make your room feel like home. Pack your favorite slippers, your pillowcase, sleepy time socks, and a picture of your family for the nightstand to make you feel comfortable enough to get a good night’s sleep. If you have a bedtime routine such as drinking tea before bed, make sure to continue that routine while you’re away. Used to a calming scent before bed? Pack those essential oils! Over time, our bodies associate sleep with our nighttime rituals, so taking away those rituals for a week makes it harder for us to fall asleep.
Eating meals at the same time every day while on vacation can also help your body get into a natural rhythm. Avoid large meals close to bed so you can fall asleep easily and stay asleep.
Adjust sleep schedules
If you’re traveling to a different time zone, try to adjust to the new timezone by going to sleep when it is nighttime rather than when you start feeling tired. This will help you adjust to the new time zone so you spend enough time awake during the day to enjoy yourself.
Location, location, location
Scoping out the location of where you’ll be staying ahead of time can help ensure a more restful sleep. Is it by a busy road? If you’re staying at a hotel, ask to change rooms if you’re on a noisy ground level. No matter where you’re staying, it’s smart to pack ahead with ear buds and a sleep mask.
Minimize anxiety
Relax before bed with a spa treatment or warm bath. Eight’s app features relaxing meditation sessions you can listen to before bed. Writing out the next day’s activities and/or discussing them with your travel partners so you don’t have to worry about when you’re doing what the next day is also helpful. If you find yourself feeling uncomfortable in your new environment, read a favorite book or listen to some music before bed to relax yourself.
Enjoy every minute of your vacation this summer, asleep and awake, by following these sleep tips.
