Sleeping Tips for Travel
Jet lag can occur when people travel quickly across several time zones, causing their internal biological rhythm to be out of synch with the new destination time. Jet lag can have a tremendous effect on the mind and body, but through a few simple yet effective travel sleeping tips and techniques, people can successfully diminish the symptoms associated with jet lag.
Sleep problems tend to be more common when people travel from west to east, as opposed to traveling from east to west, as it is more difficult to advance sleep time than to delay it.
Tips to Avoid Sleeping Problems When Traveling
It is important to adapt yourself to the routine of your destination time zone as soon as possible. The following suggestions from the Sleep Medicine Center at The Cleveland Clinic for webMD.com might help you avoid sleep problems when traveling:
- Several days before traveling, try to gradually adjust your sleeping habits to the destination time zone.
- As soon as you board the flight, reset your watch for the new time zone.
- While on board, control sleeping including naps.
- Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. Dehydration makes it more difficult for the body to adjust to the new rhythm.
- Limit your sleep to no more than two hours immediately after arrival.
- Remember that daylight can help reset your internal "clock." Take a one-hour walk as soon as you get up in the morning.
- Avoid excessive caffeine, alcohol and tobacco.
- Avoid social isolation.
- Practice good sleep habits while away.
Many people have trouble sleeping in a hotel room or in a different environment. The team at the Sleep Medicine Center at The Cleveland Clinic offers these travel sleeping tips which may help you sleep better when away from home:
- Bring along a pillow and/or blanket with which you are familiar. These may help you sleep more comfortably.
- Pack a few personal objects from home (e.g., photographs or a coffee mug) to ease the feeling of being in a new environment.
- Check your room for potential sleep disturbances, including light shining through the drapes. Bring along a sleep mask to block out any light.
- Request a room in the quietest section of the property and make sure that the room is away from any entrance areas or elevators. Use a fan or other "white noise" to cut down sounds of hotel neighbors or street traffic.
- Check your room's thermostat. Your sleep can be disrupted if the room is warmer than 75° F or colder than 54° F.
With a little planning, you’ll be able to apply these travel sleeping tips and banish jet lag so that you can enjoy your trip.
Disclaimer: Statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These statements and products are not intended to diagnose, treat and cure or prevent disease.
