How to Sleep Better as You Travel for the Holidays

By Brian Acton

Planning on taking an upcoming trip for the holidays, but not looking forward to the prospect of leaving the comfort of your own bed? If you have trouble sleeping when you travel, holiday trips can leave you feeling exhausted and not in the mood to celebrate.

While nothing beats sleeping in your own bed, there are many ways to bring comfort with you when you travel this holiday season. The better your quality of sleep, the better time you’ll have visiting with friends and loved ones.

Here are five ways to sleep better during holiday travel. 

1. Bring a Pillow for the Ride - If you plan on spending a lot of time riding in planes, trains, or automobiles, it's nice to get some shuteye along the way. But sleeping with your face crammed against the car window or using an uncomfortable airline-provided pillow isn’t a great way to get quality sleep.  Bring a quality travel neck pillow along for the ride - they’ll help keep your head and neck supported and give you the comfort you need to get some sleep.

2. Bring Your Own Bedding - If you’re addicted to your own sheets and blankets, consider taking them with you. Sleeping in a guest bedroom can be tricky if the bedding is too hot, cold, or itchy for your liking, and bringing your own bedding will help you feel at home.  Of course, packing up sheets and blankets isn’t always practical, especially when you’re flying. But at the very least, you can bring your favorite pillow (or a smaller version thereof) to ensure that your head and neck are getting the right level of support.

3. Maintain Your Sleep Schedule - Traveling often creates disruptions to your normal routine. But as much as you can, try to stick to your normal sleep schedule, going to bed and waking up at the same time you normally would. This will help you maintain your circadian rhythm (your body’s natural sleep cycle) and get the same amount of sleep you do at home.  If you’re changing time zones, maintaining the same sleep schedule can be challenging. Try to adjust to the local time on the day of arrival, even if it means going to bed a bit early or staying up a few extra hours. You can also start gradually adjusting your sleep schedule ahead of your trip if you plan to stay for more than a few days.

4. Create a Sleep-Friendly Environment - Do you like your bedroom completely dark at night? Do you put on a fan or white noise machine? Do you like to take a bath, or drink a cup of night-time tea, before bed? Whatever routines and environments you have at home, try to follow them as you travel. This may involve bringing supplies - such as a portable fan or sleep mask - and doing some work upon your arrival to create the ideal sleeping environment.

5. Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine - Alcohol and caffeine can lower the quality of your sleep. While it may be difficult to do at holiday parties, try to limit your intake. Staying hydrated all day instead will help you get a good night’s sleep.