A change in environment can be the ultimate boon especially when you know it’s vacation time. You’ve said goodbye to the lousy weather, and you know that you will be spending the next few weeks basking in the sun on some idyllic beach with the sound of the waves lightly crashing in the background. For others, it may be the umpteenth business trip of the year or the annual voyage to see relatives. Our guest blogger gives us these top 8 tips to get plenty of sleep while traveling.
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Table of Contents
Top 8 Tips to Get Plenty of Sleep While Traveling
1. Know where you are going.
2. Continue an exercise regime.
3. Don’t be a stranger.
4. Stay hydrated.
5. Be good to yourself with some pampering.
6. Don’t make it a booze cruise.
7. Keep your usual bedtime routine.
8. Avoid eating late.
Whether traveling for business or pleasure, sleep is paramount. Why? Simple, when we sleep the brain has time to reorganize everything we have done during the day and sort that into memories. Also, the immune system gets a boost, the muscles relax, it combats stress, and we remain alert during the day. And those are just a few of the benefits.
But all that goes out the door when travelers board a plane. Sleep gets replaced by restlessness, often decreasing a good night’s sleep with the onset of jet lag. When prepping for your next vacation, don’t pack your belongings, but also consider these 8 hacks to get plenty of sleep while traveling.
1. Know where you are going.
This one seems like a no-brainer, but how often have you hastily booked a hotel room online only to find it located next to a generator, vending machine or the elevators. Earplugs can go a long way, but the ideally located room goes even farther.
If you are a fussy sleeper, you might need to check out the Mattress Matchers blogs to find out which mattress is best suited to you. Then inquire in your hotel what mattresses they have.
2. Continue an exercise regime.
Don’t stop exercising because you are not at home. Movement makes us tired; ergo, it leads to better quality sleep. Remember not to exercise right before bed because that will have the opposite effect.
3. Don’t be a stranger.
Most of us love to dwell in our comfort zones and why not? Take something personal with you when you travel like your favorite negligee or cozy pajamas, or maybe set up a photo of your loved ones next to the bed. It doesn’t matter as long as you feel at home in your Airbnb apartment or hotel room.
4. Stay hydrated.
And no, do not drink like a camel so that you spend half the night in the bathroom. What matters is that you drink enough water to counter the effect of long flights for example.
5. Be good to yourself with some pampering.
There’s nothing like delayed flights or lost luggage to stress you out. And we all know that stress is one of the main reasons we cannot sleep. According to restrightmattress.com, do yourself a favor, and depending on what’s on offer in your port of call, schedule a massage or some time in the wellness and pool area.
If neither of those is an option because of your place of stay, don’t worry, there’s bound to be a nice park or a quiet café nearby to help you unwind.
6. Don’t make it a booze cruise.
“Hello, how about a nightcap?” Sean Connery at his finest in the movie Goldfinger. While it may be tempting to be a Bond Girl, alcohol robs the body of quality ZZZ’s. True, it may make you sleepy at first. However, the class of sleep will be far inferior to what you are used to. Another benefit, you will wake up feeling refreshed the next morning.
7. Keep your usual bedtime routine.
Saying goodbye does not have to exclude your usual bedtime routine. You might say, “How am I going to do that when I have a tight schedule?” No matter if you are on vacation or on a business trip, there is always time to do what you are used to.
If you have a glass of warm milk and honey before bed, why stop? Remember, it’s easier to fall asleep if your body recognizes certain rituals. It primes the mind as if you were still at home.
8. Avoid eating late.
The buffet or menu is full of salacious and delectable local delicacies, and you want to tuck in big time. Nobody wants to be a killjoy, but packing in on those calorie bombs right before bed will most probably ruin your sleep. It doesn’t mean that you have to fast. Au contraire, just eat earlier and eat the more substantial dishes for lunch instead of dinner.
When we frequently change our location, our body’s internal clock changes with it. The human mind loves consistency. Keep it simple when it comes to bedtime and go big on the business meetings or sightseeing tours. Have a great and restful trip!