Get a great night’s rest from anywhere.
Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, it’s not easy to get a great night’s sleep while on the road. If you’re staying in a hotel, lodging in a bed and breakfast, or residing with a friend or family member, it can be particularly difficult to sleep the first night in a new place. You’re in an unfamiliar space, possibly full of adrenaline and excitement as you prepare for the rest of your trip, and likely overtired and jetlagged from travel.
When traveling to a new destination, it’s important to find solutions that will help you fall asleep easier and stay asleep throughout the night. From packing a travel-size blanket to carrying essential oils to practicing mindfulness, here are some tips that may help you sleep better while away from the comforts of home.
Pack the Essentials
For a better night’s sleep, there are a few affordable solutions to keep in mind — like an eye mask and ear plugs. Unfamiliar sounds and the presence of too much light are common reasons for a bad night’s sleep. If light is a major issue, you can even invest in portable black out blinds.
Invest in a Travel-Size Blanket
The right blanket is important when it comes to falling and staying asleep. Consider investing in a travel-size blanket that replicates the blanket you use every night at home. A weighted blanket is a great way to go, as they are known to help with insomnia, falling asleep, and staying asleep. The BlanQuil Passport is a highly portable and packable version of the traditional weighted blanket, making it the perfect travel companion.
Bring Your Own Pillow
Whether staying in a hotel or visiting family, don’t be afraid to bring along your own pillows or linens to ensure you’re comfortable as you lay down to sleep. Bringing a pillow or pillowcase from home can help provide a sense of familiarity, making it feel as though you’ve never left your own bed. If you’re looking for a new pillow for your travels, consider the BlanQuil Fresh Pillow — which is made from memory foam and designed to keep you cool. Once you arrive home, it can be tossed in the washing machine and dryer.
Cut Back Your Screen Time
It’s no secret that excessive screen time can impact our ability to sleep at night. When you’re traveling, try to resist the urge to scroll through social media or watch TV as you lay in bed. Instead, you can try reading a book, writing in a journal, or taking up mediation.
Practice Mindfulness and Meditation
It can feel impossible to fall asleep if you’re feeling anxious, excited, or restless — emotions that are often exasperated when away from home. Mediation can help quiet the mind and body as you search for inner peace and calmness. When you are able to relax your mind and body, sleep will come much easier. If you’ve never mediated before, you can download a free meditation app or find a video online to give it a try.
Experiment with Essential Oils
Essential oils such as lavender, chamomile, and rose have been proven to improve sleep and relaxation. You can rub a few drops of essential oil — mixed with coconut oil — directly on your skin, either your chest, wrist, neck, hands, or feet. You can also put a few drops on your pillowcase. The BlanQuil Essence Aromatherapy Pillow is another great option. The memory foam pillow is infused with essential-oil; choose lavender or chamomile.