You might be a nomad at heart, but even people with the most extreme cases of wanderlust can experience insomnia when they’re on the road. Whether you’re traveling across the world or just to a neighboring city, the last thing you want is for your trip to be ruined by fatigue. That’s why it’s essential to find ways to sleep well when you’re away from home.
Read on to learn five useful tips that will make sleeping while traveling a breeze.
#1: Have a Plan to Handle Jet Lag
If you’re traveling between different time zones, the urge to crash the minute you get to your destination is going to be very, very strong. However, doing so can make adjusting to the time difference even harder. This means you need a game plan.
We recommend getting on local time as soon as possible, even if it means pushing through an afternoon of fatigue. Temporary tiredness is a lot better than getting yourself all out of whack for the next seven days of your vacation.
#2: Don’t Leave Healthy Habits at Home
You wouldn't drink coffee right before bedtime and expect to fall asleep afterward when you’re at home, would you? Didn’t think so. However, many people fall into the trap of abandoning their healthy habits when they travel. Just because you’re in a different country doesn’t mean you’re in a whole other world.
To avoid this common pitfall, remember to:
- Get a few good workouts (that’s what hotel gyms are for)
- Monitor your caffeine consumption
- Go easy on the alcohol
- Drink plenty of water and eat high-fiber foods
#3: Pack Properly
At home, you might knock out with nothing but a pillow and blanket. However, when you’re in an unfamiliar place, you might need a few extra tools to achieve the same results:
- Earplugs
- An eye mask
- A travel white noise machine
- Melatonin capsules
All of the items above are small, so they won’t stop you from packing the ten pairs of shoes you absolutely need for your three-day trip.
#4: Choose Your Hotel Strategically
If it’s your first time visiting a destination, you won’t know for sure which hotels will provide the most restful conditions. That said, doing your research can give you a pretty good idea:
- Check out online reviews
- Read travel blogs (hello, that’s what influencers are for!)
- Call the hotel to ask about noise levels
- Identify the big party spots
You don’t want to be caught off guard by accidentally booking a room that faces the busiest street in town.
Once you arrive, if there’s a problem with your room like a worn-out mattress or not enough pillows, don’t hesitate to call the front desk. They’re there to make your trip as enjoyable as possible!
#5: Don’t Panic
Last but not least, don’t worry about it too much if you don’t sleep perfectly when you travel. Stressing over sleep will only make the problem worse. Don’t panic if you don’t kick your jet lag as quickly as you’d hoped, or if you find yourself indulging in more coffee than normal—especially if you’re in Italy. Traveling doesn’t have to be perfect!
When you think about it, traveling means you’re leaving your comfort zone, so it makes sense if you aren’t sleeping as well as usual. Plus, your sleeping issues will probably pass as you adjust to your new location.
Bon Voyage
Now that you know how to sleep like a baby when you travel, it’s time to focus on what’s really important—planning your trip! No matter where you’re going, we hope you have a safe, fun, and well-rested journey. You’re going to come back with incredible memories (none of which will include falling asleep at the most popular cultural landmark—fingers crossed).
