I have problems sleeping in a strange bed. Since I unfortunately travel for a living, I live in hotels for the most part. I realize this isn’t really a consumer question, but do you have any hints on how to sleep better in hotels? – Elisabeth Exhausted
Dear Ms. Exhausted: You’re right; this isn’t a consumer issue but, luckily, I just read an article in Reader’s Digest that discusses this question so here’s the magazine’s answers.
Book the room that helps you to rest better. Choose a room midway down the hall on an upper floor. This keeps you away from elevators, vending machines, and exits, all of which tend to be noisy.
Darken the room. Since all drapes don’t always close tightly, perhaps ask for a room with blackout shades. (Not all rooms have these.) At the very least, bring an eye mask with you.
No napping. Regardless of how little rest you got the night before, don’t nap. By doing so, it might set us up for a restless tosser-and-turner.
Watch what you eat. It’s always tempting to snack in a hotel room but try not to eat dinner and lots of snacks at least two hours before bedtime. This couple of hours gives your body a chance to digest the food and will keep it active while you’re trying hard to keep the rest of your body inactive. Try having a cup of herbal tea before you go to bed to settle your stomach and get into sleep mode. Tea like chamomile, peppermint, and lemon can all help to calm your nerves and your digestive system.
Bring earplugs. Start by packing earplugs for your hotel stay to help block out any noise. You may have a pair of travel earplugs that you usually use bring with you on trips, or you may buy a pair of earplugs to bring with you, so you can sleep better in the hotel, despite any noise.
You may also sleep better with a sound machine on in your room. Pack the machine if it is small or use an App on your phone to simulate the sounds.
Request a mattress that is the same size as the one at home. If possible, try to get a mattress that is as close to the same size as the one you sleep on at home. For example, if you have a queen mattress at home, you may go for a queen-sized mattress for your hotel room. Often, you sleep better on a bed that is similar in size to your own.
You may also find you prefer a soft mattress or you get a better night’s sleep on a hard mattress. Speak to the hotel about how soft or hard the mattresses are there. They may use a mattress brand that is similar to your own. If they don’t, you may try requesting a room that has a mattress that will fit your needs.
Air out the room. Hotel rooms can be stuffy and musty, making it difficult for you to get to sleep. Open the windows and let in fresh air. If the windows don’t open in the room, turn on the fan on the air conditioning unit to circulate the air. You can also run the hot water in the shower to get some moisture in the air and make the room less dry. If there is a thermostat in the hotel room, adjust the temperature so it’s comfortable for you. Having good air quality and good room temperature can help you get a restful night’s sleep.
Perform a relaxing activity. To prepare for bed, do a relaxing activity that you enjoy at home at bedtime. This could be a warm bath, a cup of hot tea, or reading a good book in bed. You may also try watching television in bed to wind down and get your mind ready for sleep. If you find calming music helps you sleep, you may play it on your phone (don’t look at it, though) to help you fall asleep.
Contact Ellen Phillips at consumerwatch@timesfreepress.com