Tips for Getting Great Sleep No Matter Where You Are
This guest blog post was curated for Bucky by Kacey Bradley.
Traveling is an exciting experience, but it can also leave you exhausted. From planes to cars, when you're on the move, it can be difficult to stay asleep — even for a few hours. And the following days on your trip can seem long and uncomfortable when you didn't get any shut-eye.
Fortunately, there are tricks to getting great sleep on the road, in the sky or in a hotel room. No matter where you are, you can get restful sleep with these tips.
How to Get Great Sleep on a Plane
Trying to fall asleep on a plane and wake up without an achy back or neck can seem impossible. How do you get a decent amount of rest while you're in the air and confined to a seat? Check out these ways to improve your chances of dozing off on your next flight.
1. Pick a Low-Trafficked Seat Area
To avoid distractions and noise, try to get a seat people won't pass by often. That means you need to stay far away from the bathroom and the aisles. A window seat is best because you can lean against it for a little support. You can also bring a neck pillow to keep in your carry on and help you relax on board.
2. Avoid Caffeine and Limit Alcohol on Your Flight
You may want a glass of wine to calm your nerves if you're an uncertain passenger but keep your alcohol intake to a minimum. Alcohol and caffeine both disrupt your sleep cycle, which causes unsatisfactory rest.
3. Adjust Your Sleep Schedule to Ease Jet Lag
If you're traveling to a different time zone, jet lag is an unfortunate reality. But you can reduce the amount of jet lag you have if you change your sleep pattern before your trip. Prepare your biological clock for a new area by shifting your bedtime an hour a night until you're in line with your destination.
How to Get Better Sleep in a Car
Sleeping in the car can be a challenging feat. The bright lights, loud traffic and tight space can keep you from a much-needed nap. If you're taking a road trip, you might be trading off with your travel partners between driving and sleeping. Check out these ways to achieve rest in a vehicle.
1. Recline Your Seat
Rather than propping yourself up against the car door, lay your seat back to get a flatter position. Reclining your seat can give you extra comfort and help you doze off faster.
2. Use Earplugs to Block out Traffic
When you're on the road, the sound of traveling can prevent you from snoozing. Whether bothered drivers are honking or your travel buddy has the radio turned up, it can be difficult to fall asleep. Pop in some earplugs to block out the noise. Another alternative is to wear headphones that play soothing white or pink noise and drown out any residual sounds.
How to Get a Good Night's Rest in a Hotel
Hotels can be your home away from home, and in many cases, they do offer comfort. But you might find yourself wide awake and you can't figure out why. The following tips can improve your rest in a hotel and lead to better relaxation on your trip.
1. Book Your Hotel Room Away from Noise
You can't guarantee the neighboring rooms will stay quiet, but you can book a room away from the ice machine, the lobby and the stairs. Pick a room at the end of the hall, so you can limit the chance of a noisy neighbor even more. It may even help to wear a sleep mask to decrease distracting light.
2. Reserve Your Bed for Sleeping
When your hotel provides a TV right in front of your bed, it's hard to not fall asleep to your favorite show. But to get uninterrupted sleep, don't watch TV from under the covers. Using the bed exclusively for sleeping helps your body know the proper place to rest so you can enjoy a better quality of sleep.
Improve Your Sleep When You Travel
Wherever you are, you can enhance your sleep by making some adjustments. Blocking out light and noise while making yourself comfortable can give you a better night's rest. With some extra preparation, you can ensure you stay well-rested and ready for the rest of your travels.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kacey Bradley is the blogger behind The Drifter Collective, an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. Kacey graduated with a degree in Communications while working for a lifestyle magazine. She has been able to fully embrace herself with the knowledge of nature, the power of exploring other locations and cultures, all while portraying her love for the world around her through her visually pleasing, culturally embracing and inspiring posts. Along with writing for her blog, she has written for sites like U.S. News, SUCCESS, Ruffled, and more!
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