Sleep Tips for Holiday Travel

Thinking of going away over the holidays? Many people experience poor sleep whenever they travel, whether they are going to an unknown destination or staying with family. All of the excitement and disrupted routines surrounding the holidays do not help either.

Whether you are going on a road trip or braving the airports to venture somewhere a little further away, here are a few tips to keep in mind to help make sure you can still get a good night’s sleep wherever you are.

Plan ahead: stress is one big reason why sleeping away from home is not always great. Take the time beforehand to figure out other factors like packing, your itinerary, and other logistics to reduce stress while you are away.

Maintain a routine: while your normal sleep routine may be disrupted, try your best to stick to your usual sleeping routine. Try to go to bed as close to your normal bedtime as you can and limit the use of technology for 1 hour before you go to bed. If you are traveling to a different time zone, be sure to adjust your sleep to the current time zone in order to make the most of your trip.

Bring the essentials: Be sure to pack a few sleeping essentials such as earplugs, sleeping masks, melatonin, warm pajamas, and your favorite book just to make yourself feel at home and more comfortable at bedtime.

Practice healthy habits: sticking to healthy diet and exercise habits will help with your sleep. Eat a balanced diet, get some exercise throughout the daytime, and don’t overdo it with alcohol.

Relax and enjoy the holidays: it’s a happy and joyous time of year so make sure you give yourself time to enjoy it! Bad sleep happens to everyone at some point. If you have one rough night’s sleep, give yourself a little grace. It’s just one night and you can get back on track the next day.