Why Sleep Matters on Your Travels - And What You Can Do to Improve It

October 15, 2022

 Travelling can cause problems with your sleep schedule. One thing that contributes to this is dealing with jet lag. Adjusting from one time zone to another can stress your body clock, not knowing when it’s time for rest. It makes it harder for you to fall asleep, stay asleep, or remain awake during the daytime.

Over time, you will learn to adjust to your new time zone and environment. Still, this doesn’t mean that you should leave your sleeping problem to the passage of time. In this article, we’ll discuss why sleep matters during your travels and how you can improve it.

Why sleep matters when travelling

Insufficient sleep disrupts your plans

Following the previous mention of falling asleep and staying awake, it's clear that insufficient sleep while travelling will disrupt your activities. You may miss out on touring, attending special events, and making memories to get some sleep. Plus, lack of sleep can weaken your immune system. Since you’re in a place with unfamiliar elements and surroundings, you’ll be much more vulnerable to contracting diseases. Getting sick will only delay your travel plans.

Lack of sleep brings discomfort

Another reason why sleep matters is related to comfort, especially since travelling should be a pleasant experience. Experiencing discomfort in the form of hunger is very likely when you lack sleep. The connection between sleep and hunger is so strong that the best weight loss plans take sleep into consideration because people who get less sleep are hungrier throughout the day. By getting adequate sleep on your trips, you can increase your comfort and even avoid binging habits affecting your weight and overall health.

How to improve sleep while travelling?

Bring a travel pillow

Sleeping on a plane, train, or any other vehicle is not always ideal. Very rarely are they built for comfort—unless you’re flying first class. Bringing a pillow with you is key to comfort while travelling. Our Pillowpacker inflatable travel pillow is the perfect companion to get much-needed sleep on the go. It’s easy to pack and carry when you’re in the process of moving and is highly versatile for adding comfort to your accommodations. Consider investing in one today for your upcoming trips.

Keep a healthy diet

Eating well improves your sleep because a balanced eating routine helps the body discern between sleeping and waking periods. To eat better for sleep, avoid processed foods and caffeine. Processed foods contain a lot of sugar and sodium that interrupt sleeping patterns due to blood sugar and blood pressure changes. Not to mention, these will affect your weight, too. Caffeine is great for staying awake, but too much will prevent you from sleeping at night. Consume this in moderation by sticking to one caffeinated drink or treat a day.

Maximise accommodation features

Accommodations want the best for their guests. In fact, the travel industry is seeking to provide better sleep to travellers by offering the best services at hotels. This includes reducing electronics in rooms, offering chamomile tea, and even providing “sleep rituals” that induce melatonin production. Given these, don’t hesitate to ask your hotel for anything that will help you sleep. Whether you request extra pillows and blankets or bath salts for relaxation, hotel staff will try their best to provide maximum comfort for sleep.

Getting sleep when travelling is challenging but not impossible. By bringing a comfortable pillow, eating healthily, and maximising accommodation comfort, you’ll fall asleep in no time.

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