Being a frequent traveler, I have used all modes of transport available, except for a spaceship. I’ve learned how to make the most of my time and get some sleep while on flight, cruise, and even on a long bus ride. I’ve found that vehicular modes of transport have evolved so much that it is quite easy to get some shut-eye while I’m on the road, air or sea. If you are not a frequent traveler, you might land up in some difficulties. But fear not, there are a lot of ideas and tips for better sleep that I use before my travel, and these surefire ways are guaranteed to help you relax, regardless of your destination. With these full-proof methods, you will also be able to get up and going to enjoying your trip with only the bags in your hands and not under your eyes.
Dress for comfort.
This cannot be said enough, but always dress in your most comfortable way possible. My go-to apparel is usually tees, loose trousers, sweatshirts, track pants, and my favorite pair of comfortable shoes, namely sneakers or any sort of flat footwear would do me good. For an added bonus, I usually pick footwear that I can slip in and out of often so that I can kick my feet up while I get some sleep.
Pick an appropriate time for travel.
The best times I start off are in the morning and afternoon. Anything later and I won’t be able to enjoy myself for the rest of the day. But there are times when I was stuck traveling at night. If you were unfortunate like me to pick a night journey, you can follow some tips that I use. When I have been traveling all night and have just landed in the wee hours of the morning, I always take some minutes off and stand outside in the sunlight. This actually will help you not get jet-lagged, as sleep research suggests, that sunlight will help your circadian rhythm keep up with your surroundings.
Bring along your own foam pillow.
A neck pillow is my best travel partner. You will never catch me leaving home without one. It is convenient and handy and does not take up a lot of space. When not in use I just stuff it back in my suitcase or backpack. Another item that I carry is a shawl. It can double up like a blanket and can keep you warm in those cold carriers.
Find something that will help you sleep.
Before my night travel, I always apply a little bit of lavender essential oil on the base of my neck, behind my ears, and on my wrists. Lavender has soothing and relaxing properties, so during stressful travel days, I just have to sit back and inhale the aroma to be able to drift off. If that doesn’t help, I keep a playlist in my phone of songs to relax to and use that as a lullaby.
Do not skip out on sleep after landing.
The right sleep has various health benefits.One should have healthy sleep habits. But skipping out on one night’s complete sleep won’t do you much harm. I usually make sure I am able to get at least 30 minutes to an hour of sleep for a short journey, and 5 to 6 hours for a longer one. But after I land, I try to get my sleep back by only resting at night, and avoiding naps throughout the day. That way, I get my energy spent enough to hit the hay, and also I don’t miss out on valuable time to spend.