Trips or vacations can be exhilarating and exciting with the thought of experiencing a new city or culture, even when they are beneficial for your career. People travel for a variety of reasons, from pleasure, medical, or professional. Whatever the nature of your trip, it is hard not to get excited for a break from the daily grind of a normal routine. A new location, food, and even conferences in your professional career. You get the opportunity to meet new people, reconnect with old friends, and try new things all in the same timeframe. There can be a downside to traveling, unfortunately, and that is the lack of your normal bed for sleeping. Our bodies get used to sleeping in the same space night after night and it can make a person out of sorts when that option is not available to them.
The majority of professional hotel chains do their best to make their rooms “homes away from home” but it can be difficult when it’s close but not quite the same. There are tips for the traveler to remember and to use as guidelines to maintain close to perfect sleep when on the road or traveling for whichever reason.
Read on below for the top tips to get a good night’s sleep on the road and how to make the homecoming all the sweeter!
Be Smart While Making Your Hotel Reservation
From the noise of fellow travelers to strange sounds, a stay at a hotel can cause a person to lose sleep quickly. When making your hotel reservation, either by yourself or through a third party, try to secure a room that is located in a quiet spot. The quietest spot in a hotel would be located midway down the hallway because of the ample space between yourself and hotel amenities (ice machine, guest laundry etc.). Try to avoid booking a room that overlooks the pool or parking lot, as these areas can become noisy at different points throughout the day. If the hotel has more than one level, request to stay at the highest floor to eliminate unnecessary noise from the lobby, bar or other areas. And, although diet when travelling is important, try and book a room far away from the dining area or you’ll hear the early morning rush.
Ask Front-Desk Staff for Items Not Found in the Room
Perhaps you suffer from back or neck pain on a regular basis and sleeping on thinner hotel pillows can aggravate it to an unmanageable point. Check with the front desk to see if they stock differing options for firm pillows or if they can locate a foam pad for sleeping on. If the hotel you are staying at doesn’t provide these, consider bringing your own from home or purchasing a top quality travel pillow that goes from the travel mode to the bed. Ask hotel staff if they provide unopened ear plugs or sleep masks if you have forgotten yours.
Pack Light but Smart
While packing your luggage for the trip, ensure you have earplugs, sleeping masks, and a spare pillowcase. Earplugs can work wonders on reducing unnecessary noise whereas a sleeping mask can stop unwanted light from filtering into your eyes, both of which can wake you up earlier than needed. If you have the room in your luggage, even consider packing an entire set of sheets from home. You will feel more relaxed when surrounded by familiar sheets as the feel and smell can soothe the mind. If packing a set of sheets isn’t an option, definitely try to make packing a pillowcase one. Pack your favorite pair of pajamas or slippers so you can enjoy the creature comforts of home in the small ways that count.
Do the Same as When at Home
Maintain the same nighttime routine, regardless of your current location. If you have a warm shower before bed or read a chapter of a novel, do this. If you spend the minutes before bed completing a facial routine or a workout, then continue to do so! Use the bed in the hotel room the same way it is recommended at home; for sleeping purposes only. Don’t sit up watching TV, on your laptop or phone, or for visits with friends. The majority of hotel rooms will have a section, regardless of size, to conduct these activities in.
When at Home
Once you have arrived home from your trip, it can be difficult to unwind and relax into sleeping in your own bed again. Use the above tips for nighttime routines and noise while at home. Ensure that your mattress is the best for your body and spend the time needed to get acquainted with it again. If you are unsure if your mattress is the best for your individual needs and body type, drop over to TheSleepJudge.com and read more.
Conclusion
Too many days without sleep will throw the body out of cycle and potentially harm career opportunities when you are not as sharp and focused as you should be. If you are traveling for work, it is essential to be alert, rested, and ready to participate in projects or conferences. You want to put your best foot forward while in the company of your peers and a sleep deprived person will show slower reaction times, be more susceptible to distractions, and feel increasingly irritated as the day goes on. If you are travelling for pleasure, you need to be alert and ready for each and every day. You want to be aware of your surroundings while be clear-minded enough to soak in the beauty and culture of a new place. With a few simple changes, falling asleep quickly in a hotel or while on the road can be a breeze!