Tips For Better Sleep Away From Home

There’s no place like home. It’s the place with your pets, your plants, your favorite mugs, and—most importantly—your bed. There’s nothing that compares to the feeling of falling into your personal mattress, under your own sheets, surrounded by all your possessions. But sometimes, adventure calls. And when it does, an uncomfortable sleep is often the tradeoff of new travel, sights, and experiences.

But what if we told you it didn’t have to be? There is a way to vacation and sleep well away from home. And whether you’re traveling by airplane, train, or seeing the world by car, keep reading for our tips for better sleep away from home.

Why Do You Sleep Worse While Traveling?

No matter where you are, sleeping badly while traveling can often be traced to one culprit: the environment. Whether the sheets in your hotel are too itchy, or the time difference has you feeling jet lagged, your body’s discomfort with new routines, activities, foods, and even climates can negatively impact your sleep. And when you have trouble sleeping, the resulting jet lag, tossing and turning, or travel insomnia that comes after can severely damper any vacation plans. But the good news is, there’s a way to lessen traveling’s effects on your sleep. To get good sleep while traveling, analyze how you’ll be traveling, where you’ll be traveling to, and how you can work with the environment to achieve great sleep while you’re there.

Sleeping Hacks for Better Sleep Away from Home

When researching how to sleep better while you’re away from home, preparation is key. As you form a plan for better sleep in your new location’s environment, first:

Prepare For Where You’re Traveling

The environment of your destination is a major contributor to your sleep. Before traveling, first, consider the climate and culture of your destination. Is it a cold, quiet mountain town? Or a loud, tropical beach resort? Then, consider how your personal preferences align with your location. If your destination is humid and hot, make sure to pack breathable pajamas or even a personal fan. If you’re traveling somewhere cold and remote, take care to pack a blanket or your favorite pillow. Knowing the environmental factors of your destination, and planning for them, can greatly improve your quality of sleep once you arrive.

Think About How You’ll Be Traveling

The first step to achieving better sleep while traveling is to think about how you’ll reach your destination. Your mode of transportation impacts how quickly—or how comfortably—you’ll arrive, and that in turn impacts how you’ll sleep once you get there. If you’re wondering:

• How to Sleep On a Plane Or Train— bring essentials, such as noise-canceling headphones, a travel blanket, and an eye mask on board. Pop on your headphones to surround yourself in calming quiet. Snuggle into your travel blanket so you can control your perfect temperature. And finally, wear an eye mask to help block out light. With a dark, quiet, and cozy environment, you can sleep peacefully following the schedule of your vacay destination.
• How to Sleep In a Car — Search your playlist for a calm, soothing podcast or audiobook. Align the heat or A/C to your preference—the cooler the better—and grab a travel pillow to prop your head up into a comfortable position, making sure your body stays in an upright, secure position. For extra comfort, put on an eye mask, and sleep for at least 90 minutes to complete a full sleep cycle and wake up refreshed.

Work With the Environment Once You’re There

Once you arrive, find ways to adjust to your environment. If your destination in in a different time zone, begin sleeping and waking according to the current schedule. If the area is touristy and loud, consider purchasing earplugs. Likewise, if the area is quieter than you’re used to, pop on a white-noise playlist. As for how to sleep in hotels, consider bringing an element that feels familiar—like your own towels or sheet set—that you can use to help put your mind at ease. Once you’ve adjusted to the environmental-related changes, you can look forward to a great night’s sleep.

Sleep Well, No Matter Where, with Tuft & Needle

There’s no place like home, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy sleeping while you’re away. The key to better sleep while vacationing is adjusting your body to your environment, and at Tuft & Needle, we help you do just that. From our travel blanket and travel pillow, to our sheet sets and full-sized blankets, you can create your perfect sleep environment, no matter where you are, each and every night.