Simple ways to have a comfortable night away from home
One thing that cannot be compared to is the comfort of our own beds. Nothing is like relaxing on your familiar hybrid mattress and relaxing on the pillows you know so well. However, sometimes certain seasons or events call for a change of scenery and you find yourself on a sofa bed in another environment. Whether it is a business trip or a long stay at a relatives house sometimes we find it difficult to fall asleep and be relaxed. Read on for some simple tips on how to not allow this change to affect your sleeping quality.
Prepare yourself ahead of time
Understanding what circumstances you'll be sleeping in can greatly assist you in properly preparing for your time away from home. Whether you're sleeping on a sofa, a sofa bed or even an air mattress, ask your host if extra blankets or pillows may be provided to make it more comfortable. It's also a good idea to find out what time they generally wake up in the morning so you know when you will hear them moving around the house and you won't be supposed to.
If you are travelling to another city or country, make sure to read the reviews before booking a hotel. People may have complained about excessive noise from roadworks or if it's located on a major road, and write these things in the reviews. You can then use this information to determine whether this will interfere with your sleep.
Think about your sleeping area
Continuing on from our last point, inspecting your sleeping surroundings will assist you in getting a better night's sleep. Because you're staying somewhere new, your regular sleeping environment will be altered, and some elements may prevent you from falling asleep. To block out any unwelcome sound or light, bring earplugs and an eye mask. Melatonin, a sleep-inducing substance, is produced by our bodies. According to the National Sleep Foundation, 'Even the tiniest amount of light in your bedroom while you're attempting to sleep might impair the pineal gland's capacity to make melatonin, making sleeping difficult.'
The temperature of the room can also be adjusted for a restful night's sleep. According to the Sleep Foundation, the optimal sleeping temperature is 65 degrees F/18.5 degrees C. If you don't have access to a thermostat or thermometer, make sure you're not excessively hot or chilly before getting comfortable.
Allow yourself some time
Some people fall asleep as soon as their head touches the pillow however it may become difficult to do this when the pillow is not your own. Unless you're on a relaxing vacation, you'll almost certainly have an alarm set for the next morning. With this in mind, it is critical to go to bed early enough to get enough rest.
Allow yourself more time to fall asleep than normal, and don't become irritated if you don't fall asleep straight away. Remember that your mind is likely overstimulated by the new environment, and your body may require some time to adjust and get used to that sofa bed that you are sleeping on.
Take a little of home with you
They're called "home comforts" for a reason: they make us feel at ease while we're away from home. So, what better way to unwind than to bring along some of your favourite items?
Having soothing influences around will make it simpler to fall asleep, whether it's a food you can't live without or a book you are reading. Another idea is to bring your slippers with you if you normally wear them in the evening. You can even bring your pillow if you think it would help you sleep better.
This tip works for children as they may also struggle to fall asleep in another environment. When you're away from home with your kids, you might want to put some of their favourite movies or TV episodes on your iPad. Help your child to pick their favourite teddy or toy to travel with as this will keep them engaged and read them a bedtime tale if that is what they are used to.
Stick to your daily routine
When you're away from home, you can still maintain your daily night routine. Doing the same things you normally do before bed help you sleep better in strange circumstances and it will also ensure that your sleep is not harmed when you return home. If you normally drink a cup of chamomile tea before bed, you can bring some with you and keep to your routine
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