5 jet-setting sleep tips for your holiday

Holidays should be an opportunity for relaxation, so you can return home rested and ready to face everyday life once more. But with all the bookings, travel, acclimatisation, and unfamiliar cuisine, it’s easy to get back from your vacation feeling more ragged than refreshed.

If you’re one of the many people who suffer from ‘travel insomnia’, you know how exhausting a so-called holiday can be. There’s the disruption to your usual routine, messing with your sleep pattern and your digestion. There’s the strangeness of sleeping in an unfamiliar environment, making it more difficult to relax. And finally, there’s the anxiety of high expectations, which can prevent you from enjoying your travels altogether.

Thankfully, there are ways to combat travel insomnia, and even avoid it completely. Below are some of the best ways to get a good night’s sleep while on holiday, so you can get the rest you deserve.

Make the hotel bed your own

Few things are more discombobulating than trying to get to sleep in a new bedroom, with unfamiliar sheets, pillows, mattresses, sounds, smells, and overall atmosphere. 

If you find it hard to get to sleep in general, you’ve probably spent a lot of time trying to make your bedroom at home as relaxing an environment as possible, with your own sleep accessories. If that’s the case, there’s no rule saying you cannot bring these accessories on holiday with you.

Packing your own pillow, your earplugs, eye mask, or even a scented candle/diffuser could make the difference between a rejuvenating holiday and a tiring one. If you have a specific sleep condition which requires a sleep mask, such as sleep apnoea, ask your medical provider about a portable option.

Adjust the temperature

Many Brits choose to leave these rainy isles for warmer climates whenever possible, but jetting from a cool locale to a hot one over the course of a single day can play havoc with your ability to sleep.

As we wind down in preparation for sleep, our bodies begin a natural cool-down process, essentially moving into low-power mode. If your holiday bedroom is too hot, this process will be made more difficult, leading to a night of sweat-soaked tossing and turning.

To prevent this, try to book accommodation with reliable air conditioning, and remember to pack appropriate nightwear.

Get plenty of natural light

One of the easiest ways to ensure restful sleep when you’re in a sunny country is to make sure you get plenty of natural light during the daylight hours. 

Your circadian rhythm – your mind’s natural cycle of wakefulness and restfulness – works based on light levels. Getting natural light during the day will make you feel more alert, before moving to the darkness and tiredness of evening. So, slather on the sunscreen and step into the light while you can.

One thing to avoid in order to keep your circadian rhythm working as normal is the blue light emitted by many phone and tablet screens. For the best night’s rest, shun screens for the hour or two before bed.

Avoid overindulging

Our sleep cycle and our digestion are tightly linked; if one is knocked off-kilter, the other is sure to follow.

You may be tempted to try all the fabulous food your holiday destination has to offer, but try not to overindulge. After a big meal, wait at least two or three hours before going to bed so you don’t lie listening to your stomach churn all night.

Stick to a bedtime routine

Being in a new environment with a new schedule is obviously a wonderful chance to try new things, but we humans are creatures of habit, and too much change will inevitably disrupt your sleep pattern.

Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, and keep to the same bedtime routine you have at home for a dose of relaxing familiarity amongst all the excitement.

Looking to improve your sleep quality? Start by getting the sleep surface right. Explore the Mammoth Perks range today here.