I travel frequently for business and pleasure. As a result, I spend a lot of time sleeping in hotel rooms. But one thing I’ve always found is that sleeping in a hotel room is never quite as easy as it is at home.
Sometimes it’s noise from outside the room. Other times, it’s because the shades are too thin, letting in light from outside. Whatever it may be, there are a few things I bring with me on longer trips to help me improve my sleep quality in a hotel room.
Let’s take a look at what these are and how they help me sleep.
I’m someone who needs to have a completely dark room to sleep well. This can be difficult in hotels in major city centers, as light may bleed into the hotel room even with black-out shades. Because of this, I always keep a sleep mask in my carry-on bag. This helps me fall (and stay) asleep in absolute darkness.
I use this Mavogel sleep mask, which is CNN Underscored’s pick for the best sleep mask. It’s inexpensive, comfortable and portable. The cotton material is durable and soft enough that I often forget I’m wearing a sleep mask. Plus, its adjustable strap means it fits just about anyone.
If your room has blackout shades that don’t stay closed, use a bulldog clip to keep them shut by attaching the two shades together. This will prevent light from sneaking into your hotel room, giving you a dark room that’s more conducive to sleep.
Earplugs are another thing that I always keep in my suitcase. There’s nothing worse than arriving at a hotel only to have noisy neighbors or intrusive street noise coming in from outside. Having a couple pairs of disposable earplugs in my bag means I can always enjoy quiet rest, even in hotels in the world’s busiest cities. You might also consider reusable earplugs if you use them frequently.
If you’re looking for a more high-tech solution, consider buying the Soundcore by Anker Sleep A10 headphones. They’re specifically designed to help you sleep and have a comfortable design and dedicated sleep mode. Plus, the included app has a library of white noise and other sleep-inducing sounds that can help you drift to sleep in any hotel room.
White noise almost always helps me fall asleep. If you’re in the same boat, this mini white noise machine could be a good investment. This device looks like a mini Bluetooth speaker, but it only plays 15 looping sounds that can help you drift into a deep sleep. And since it doesn’t require a smartphone to use, it’s a great way to reduce screen time before bed.
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