Did you know March 7 – 13 is National Sleep Awareness Week?
No, I didn’t either. But I do know traveling can be tiring – the hassles of security, the jet lag, and more.
So I’ve got some tips that may help – I haven’t tried them all, though; some are courtesy of the experts at the Cleveland Clinic Sleep Disorders Center and WebMD
Tips: Preventing Jet Lag
- Before traveling, try to move your sleep times and meals closer to your destination time zone
- On planes, noise-canceling headphones make sleeping easier
- If it’ll be morning when you arrive at your destination, try to sleep on the plane; if night, try to stay awake
- Once you arrive, if you must sleep, limit yourself to two hours
- Avoid social isolation – be around people
- Avoid too much caffeine and alcohol
Keep reading for tips on adjusting to new surroundings – plus a New York City hotel that wants you to get a very good rest…
Tips: Adjusting to New Surroundings
- Pack a few personal objects from home (photos or a coffee mug)
- Make sure blinds or curtains block out all light
- Room too hot or cold? That could make sleeping tougher (WebMD suggests 75-degrees is too warm and 54, too cold)
Tips: Learning the Art of Sleep at a Fancy Hotel
Okay, this comes from a press release, but I thought it was fun, so I’ll share:
The Benjamin, a posh New York hotel, is offering a two night “The Art of Sleep” package, starting at $289 a night – which provides you with the following:??
- Consultation with the hotel’s Sleep Concierge
- Nightly bedtime snack of The Benjamin’s famous PB&J finger sandwiches
- Discount on a “sleep inducing spa treatment”
- Kit that includes an eye mask, lavender bath salts, a “soothing CD” and more
Well, it’s working. I’m feeling drowsy already…
I pack along these items to ensure good sleep on the road:
1) eye mask
2) lavender bath salts
3) melatonin
4) valerian root extract (liquid or pill form)
They seem to work for me.
Wishing you good rest & happy travels, all!
Leslie,
A prepared traveler is a happy traveler – thanks for sharing.
Regards,
Rick
I use to never be able to sleep on planes. I tried a bunch of different herbal remedies as well as Dramamine, noise canceling headphones, and a bunch of other stuff. None of it worked.
But the more I travel the easier it gets. On a recent trip back to the US from Singapore I passed out for a good four hours. Sure, not a full nights sleep, but it was better than nothing. Maybe I’m getting use to flying and I’m not as stressed anymore? Or maybe that trip just really exhausted me? I don’t know. But I’m grateful for it.
Stephanie,
I think experience definitely has something to do with it; I know some people that claim they have actually “trained” themselves to sit-on-plane, go-to-sleep. But you’re right, it’s not easy.
I was recently in Singapore – that’s a long, long trip, isn’t it?
Regards,
Rick