When we think of vacations, we usually think of the best time of the year, of the opportunity to take a deep breath, of sufficient rest and relaxation. However, very few people are aware that sleep can suffer, especially on vacation. Why is it that people often sleep worse on vacation than at home, when they could actually sleep in and relax? And is there a way to consciously improve your sleep on vacation? Answers to these questions can of course be found here at billerbeck, your sleep experts.
Whether near or far – sleep problems on vacation
The fact that most people sleep significantly worse on vacation than in their own bed and in their familiar surroundings is common to all types of travel. Whether in a hotel, in a vacation apartment or when camping, whether on a farm vacation, a city break or a long-distance trip, poor sleep accompanies most travelers during the first few nights after arrival.
This is not only due to the fact that the new and unfamiliar surroundings and the many impressions first have to be absorbed and processed. Anyone traveling to the south or another climate zone may also have to deal with noticeably different temperatures and higher humidity. Humming air conditioning systems and buzzing mosquitoes do the rest to spoil your night’s sleep. Air travel to distant countries causes the well-known jet lag, which can also be a reason for problems falling asleep or sleeping through the night and has a negative impact on many people’s first days of vacation.
Why do we sleep badly on vacation?
The unfamiliar surroundings and the unfamiliar bed are two reasons that can affect sleep. Unfamiliar noises, an uncomfortable mattress and a new pillow can cause restlessness and sleep problems on vacation, no matter how tired and exhausted you are. The body and mind first need a certain period of acclimatization before they can really allow themselves to rest and relax.
The stress and strain of the trip need to subside and the new impressions at the destination need to be processed. Many people already know from their everyday and professional lives that high demands, stress, hectic pace and stress can have an impact on the body and mind and therefore also on sleep. It’s no different on vacation.
Familiar surroundings mean security
We also need a feeling of security in order to be able to sleep completely relaxed. In an unfamiliar place, in a new bed, our unconscious does not have this sense of security at first, which is why our body – and here primarily our brain – does not switch off completely and relax. Researchers at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island were able to record these exciting results in studies.
The left half of the brain in particular is still active to a certain extent in a new and unfamiliar environment, even during the deep sleep phase that is so important for regeneration, in order to ensure that we wake up quickly in the event of possible danger. This is certainly a useful relic from an evolutionary point of view, but it is no longer absolutely necessary in this day and age.
How can you improve your sleep on vacation?
A simple way to significantly reduce sleep problems on vacation is to take your own pillow with you when you travel. Our roll-up billerbeck TRAVELLER neck support pillow is particularly suitable here, as it ensures optimum sleeping comfort when traveling of any kind.
Otherwise, as usual, good sleep hygiene can help to improve sleep at home and on vacation and make it easier to fall asleep. Relaxation exercises, a regular sleep rhythm, little alcohol, nicotine and caffeine and a light diet in the evening also help you to fall asleep and sleep through the night when traveling.
