We’ve all been there; you travel for hours, you’re hopelessly tired when you reach your destination, you finally get to your hotel, crawl into bed, turn off the light and… you lie there wide awake for what seems like an eternity. Why is it that traveling offers up so many sleepless nights? Josie Feria, Director of Operations at Lapis Spa, says the explanation is simple. “The most important factors in getting a good night’s sleep stem from having a regular routine and being in familiar surroundings, which when you are traveling are both thrown off” — Feria says. “When you add in the likelihood of overindulging and acclimating to time changes, it makes it even more difficult to wind down at the end of the day.”
With these facts in mind, Feria has come up with ten tips to help you sleep better on the road.
- A few days prior, adjust the clocks to reflect the time at your destination.
- Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration. Daily recommended water intake is half of your body weight in ounces of water.
- Upon arrival, consider enjoying a relaxing massage.
- Don’t overeat before bedtime.
- Dim the lights in advance of going to bed.
- Take advantage of the bathtub by taking a long, warm soak.
- Turn off all electronics 30 minutes prior to sleep to begin resting the mind.
- Stay true to your at-home ritual. Performing typical rituals will help make the transition to a new time zone successful.
- Wear socks to bed. Keeping your feet warm helps you fall asleep at a quicker rate, improves dry feet, aids with hot flashes and reduces restless nights.
- Quiet the mind. Count your breaths to rest a racing mind.
- Wake slowly, peacefully.
For more information on how to experience ultimate relaxation and rest on your next trip, visit fontainebleau.com/spa
