Five Tips for Better Sleep When You Travel
Having poor quality sleep when traveling can ruin the whole vacation. But sleeping when traveling is not a simplistic task, as many factors are disrupting sleep. Fortunately, certain strategies can help anyone catch some Zs when traveling, and arrive at the destination feeling well-rested.
Things like pressurized plane cabins, the stress associated with traveling, noise, jet lag, and such can leave anyone bleary-eyed and fatigued. Some of these circumstances and factors cannot be avoided, but their impact can be minimized.
In this post, we’re presenting you the five tips for better sleep when you travel.
Prepare before the journey
At least three days before your journey, start moving your bedtime an hour earlier than usual to get used to timezone changes and jet lag. When choosing the outfits, wear comfortable and layered clothes such as sweatpants, short sleeves, or a hoodie. Stay hydrated and eat lighter than usual meals before the trip, so you won’t have to deal with possible issues later. Furthermore, even though stress is almost always part of the trip preparation, make sure to reduce the stress and be relaxed as much as possible.
If you’re dealing with back or neck pain, you may wanna consider sleeping on the floor. We know, this may sound absurd, why would anyone switch from sleeping on the mattress to sleeping on a floor? The fact is, many people have vouched for the positive effects of sleeping on the floor, as it can greatly relieve the pain. Besides, this will prepare you for travel conditions even further.
For more in-depth hints on how to sleep when traveling, check out this site where you will find the topmost quality travel-related articles, written by the traveling adepts.
Sleep Accessories
If possible, keep all sleep accessories close to you and in one bag, since you’ll certainly need them. Here are the best sleep accessories for traveling to consider:
- Earplugs: This is a must-have for everyone traveling, as they can block out the noise which will undoubtedly be present at all times. In turn, this will certainly make falling asleep and relaxing easier.
- Eye Mask: Another handy sleeping accessory is an eye mask since you’ll be facing an overhead light and natural light too. A good and comfy eye mask will block out the light, and make sleeping more simplistic.
- Travel Pillow: In most cases, you’ll have to sleep while sitting, so having a travel pillow can provide additional comfort and support head and neck.
- Comfort Items: Take your favorite blanket or other sleep comfort item with you, to make you feel more comfortable.
- Supplements: Supplement such as melatonin combined with the items above will almost certainly ensure you get some decent rest while traveling.
Sleeping Apps
Using the apps for sleeping is a way of advanced sleep accessories accessible to anyone. Nowadays, there are numerous sleeping apps for smartphones and other smart devices. Most of them are free (with premium options), so make good use of them and select earphones instead of earplugs.
There are plenty of sounds to select, and whatever your preference is, these sounds will undoubtedly take out the noise coming from everywhere around you and help you fall asleep with more ease.
While flying
You probably already know what to expect – long flights, inadequate seating, turbulence, pressure, dry air, noise… These things can make sleeping challenging, but not impossible. That’s why, above all, choose a window seat if possible so that you’ll be able to lean against it. Avoid the last row of the plane, as lavatories are usually located there and this can become an issue because of the noise and odor.
Succeedingly, you should utilize the whole sleeping aid arsenal mentioned above. Avoid stimulants like alcohol and caffeine and stick to only water and snacks (or light meals).
Bonus tip: Set an alarm around 45 minutes before landing. You will thank us later.
Sleep routine
Of course, almost no one will stick to it when traveling, especially at destinations famous for nightlife. But having a flexible sleep routine is a way to go, so for instance, if going to bed later than usual – wake up a bit later than usual. This way you can have an adequate amount of sleep and wake up rested, so you can enjoy all the beautiful places and activities the following day.