My Essentials to Sleep Well While Traveling
I’m working at a hotel today because I was traveling for the holidays, but I didn’t wake up drunk for work this morning even though I’ve spent the last three days running around an unfamiliar city. That’s because when it comes to my sleep, I’m a little belligerent freak . Even staying in a hotel bed in an unfamiliar place can’t stop me from getting the rest I deserve. From hotels to motels, Airbnbs to friends’ couches, and even on a plane or car, I’m always ready to blissfully and spectacularly close my eyes. Here’s what to take with you to have a good rest, no matter where you are.
What I’ve packed to get a good night’s sleep this week
A big part of getting a good night’s sleep is sticking to a routine, so the first things I took with me weren’t so much sleep aids as they were things I use to calm myself down and signal to my body that it’s time to go to sleep when I’m asleep. house. Following the same steps, smelling the same smells, and preparing the same way as if I were in my bed helps my brain calm down when I’m in an unfamiliar place. On this particular trip, that meant bringing a mini version of my skincare routine. A few days before I left, I purchased the new COSRX Favorites Set ($36). I also added a mini version of one of my favorite lotions , a gua sha treatment , under-eye patches , whitening strips , and a silk cap to protect my hair while I sleep, perfectly reflecting all the actions, tastes, and smells of my body. normal night routine.
Besides the fact that they’re all $20 or less, the key point here is that they’re all small ; they fit right into my carry-on luggage. Two tips: I removed as much as I could from the original packaging so that my under eye patches and white stripes don’t end up in bulky boxes that take up too much space, and I recommend purchasing a set of travel bottles so you can strain out your favorite lotions, shampoos, conditioners, mouthwash and skin care products without having to pack giant containers. A good set costs about $10 , but the packaging is much simpler.
In terms of products that actually help me sleep well, I started by bringing a chin strap . I picked up this thing with some hesitation about a month ago and noticed an improvement in the quality of my sleep because it forces me to sleep with my mouth closed, wrapped tightly under my chin and attached behind my ears. Many people use mouth tape for this purpose, but for me it feels claustrophobic, and it’s less wasteful than disposable tapes, plus it can be folded into a compact size for packing. I always sleep in it now, but I’ve found it especially useful in a hotel where I don’t have a humidifier or much control over the air quality in general, because it keeps me from waking up with a sore throat after mouthing air in an unfamiliar place.
I’m committed to sleeping in darkness and silence, so I always have tools on hand to help me achieve this. On this trip, instead of a bulky foam eye patch, I decided to bring disposable steam eye masks . They’re not as effective at blocking light compared to my larger mask (though they definitely still do that), but because they’re paper thin and individually packaged, they take up much less space in my bag. Plus, they heat up and give off a calming lavender scent, which I think helps you relax and drift off to sleep in an unfamiliar room. As always, don’t forget your earplugs . One thing I didn’t bring but wish I had was a combination of both: sleep headphones with a mask attached so you can listen to white noise and block out light.
As for pajamas, I have a special opinion. You can’t know the exact thermostat situation in advance before you check into a hotel, so you can’t predict whether the room will be too cold or too warm, not to mention the compromises you might have to make. if you are traveling with another person. (I’m a bit of a freak and like to stay warm all the time , but no one agrees with me.) The pajamas I brought with me on this trip are actually one piece: the Funziez onesie . This is ideal because it’s not too fluffy or hot, but has a long zipper that you can unzip if you get overheated. With thin yet warm fabric, these are the best travel pajamas I’ve found and eliminate the need to pack multiple pajamas.
Finally, I try not to worry too much about sleeping on unfamiliar sheets because, but there is a small comfort in knowing that I’m sleeping in sheets that I’ve washed, confident in their cleanliness and smelling the soothing scent of my own detergent, so I usually also take a Tang Fan sleeping bag with me. It’s essentially a very thin, silky sleeping bag that has fabric between your body and the sheets. It’s designed to keep you from getting spray tan on your bed sheets (which is why I bought it), but I’ve actually found it to be a pretty invaluable travel tool, whether I’m tanned or not. No.