The Traveler’s Guide to Better Sleep

Frequent travelers, especially jetsetters, know just how difficult it can be to get a good night’s sleep in an unfamiliar place, even if you are booked in a luxurious hotel. The good news is that there are some adjustments that you can make in order to make it easier for you to get some rest. 

1. Invest in a travel kit.
If you’re a frequent traveler but have limited budget for your accommodation, it is likely that you may end up finding yourself lodged somewhere that is not too conducive for sleep at some point during your journey. TripIt advises investing in an eye mask and earplugs to drown out the lights and the noise. You can also use them while on the plane to help you fall asleep while flying. Try to invest in good quality pieces, as cheaper ones may be too flimsy and won't be up to the job.

2. Keep yourself hydrated.
Flying can make you prone to dehydration because the high altitudes can actually quickly dry out your body. This will not only dry your skin, it can also make you more prone to experiencing fatigue and suffering from headaches. To remedy this, Entrepreneur recommends drinking a lot of water even before and during your flight. 

2. Regulate what you drink.
As much as possible, try to avoid drinking alcohol within four hours of your bedtime. According to a sleep guide shared by Leesa, while drinking alcohol can help you fall asleep faster, it can also cause you to wake up multiple times throughout the night because you will become dehydrated. The guide also suggests minimizing your caffeine intake. Refrain from drinking beverages or eating food with caffeine at least four hours before your bedtime so you will be able to fall asleep faster. 

4. Take your vitamins.
Sometimes, a lack of vitamins in your body is the culprit behind your jetlag. Health Central advises taking supplements infused with Vitamins B6, B12, and C, and the minerals chromium, magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium to help stave off travel fatigue. These supplements can also help boost your immune system, which is quite handy since getting sick while on the road is probably one of the worst things that can happen to you while you’re traveling. 

5. Make sure you have everything set. 
In a previous post here on Fifth Meridian Travel, we talked about how a lack of preparation can make you highly stressed. Anxiety can affect the amount of sleep that you can get while you’re traveling. One way that you can keep yourself from becoming stressed out is to make sure that you have just about everything ready before you hit the road. For instance, you can book your accommodation ahead of time instead of waiting until you get to your destination before looking for a place to stay. You also need to make sure that all your documents are ready and secure.

At the same time, however, you also need to prepare yourself for all eventualities. While getting prepared is all well and good, you can’t always control everything going on around you. The key is to be flexible so you don’t end up worrying needlessly. Take things in your stride, and chalk up what you encounter as learning experiences. That way, you won’t end up losing sleep over the things that don’t go according to plan first time around.