Travel allows people to explore exotic locations, sample the local cuisine, and have one-of-a-kind experiences that simply don’t exist back home. Regardless of the destination, it makes sense that travelers would want to make the most of their trip.
With everything that you want to do and see, taking time to rest is likely the last thing on your itinerary. While it may seem counterintuitive, sleep is an essential part of successful travel. If you really want to have a vacation worth remembering, then check out these six reasons to get plenty of sleep while traveling.
1. Remember the Experience
Those with strong cognitive skills usually adopt practical sleep schedules while those who frequently pull all-nighters may not have such luck. Traveling with a low-functioning memory is a recipe for disaster since you are navigating a new city likely to come across unfamiliar areas. If your thoughts keep getting away from you, then take a power nap. Sleep serves as the bridge between taking in information and actually remembering it for later. While you will likely take pictures of what you see and do, your memory is what will truly capture what it felt like to be there.
If you are sleep deprived on your trip, you may forget key details or lose important items along the way. This would prove disastrous when traveling abroad since your money, travel documents, and luggage are all essential to your ability to cross borders and return home. Make it your goal to sleep for at least six hours per night to keep the brain sharp.
2. Stress Less
We all have experienced a bit of crankiness following a restless night. Unfortunately, coffee isn't always enough to turn the tables. Because hormone levels are regulated during periods of rest, prolonged sleep deprivation can have a crippling effect on a person’s emotional and mental state. This is due to cortisol levels being risen to an unhealthy degree.
Resting properly during your travel can help boost your mood and minimize feelings of stress and anxiety. If you find yourself feeling upset along your journey, then pull over and take a catnap or head back to the hotel so you can get some extra sleep.
3. Feel More Alert
If you seem to be falling off your game, take a closer look at your sleep patterns. Whether you are handling business affairs or enjoying a much-needed vacation, you must be both alert and aware of your surroundings during your travel.
When you go without sleep, your brain falters. Consequently, your reactions may be a lot slower, which proves dangerous if you’re traveling via car. You may also have trouble sensing risk and nearby danger. Supplementing your body with adequate rest will produce quick responses and reflexes. Essentially, you’ll be more attuned to your surroundings and ultimately safer when you are better rested.
4. Boost Your Immune System
Those who suffer from insomnia or choose an unhealthy sleep schedule will often find themselves becoming ill more frequently than others. When your sleep schedule is out of whack, your immune system suffers. The human body repairs itself during sleep hours. If the body goes without this restorative period, you will become more susceptible to illness.
Neglecting to snooze while traveling may result in a common cold or even trigger an allergic reaction. If you can’t get the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep each night, then research shows that 30-minute naps can do the trick. The last thing you want is a runny nose and a nagging cough while trying to enjoy your much-anticipated vacation.
5. Have Better Interactions
It is nearly impossible to engage with others while running on fumes. You may find yourself struggling to find the right words or even stuttering while trying to get your point across. In order to fully enjoy your time spent traveling with friends and loved ones, you will need to allow your body time to recover.
Fatigue can make it difficult to compose a proper sentence and gather your thoughts. This unfortunate combination can lead to poor judgment and awkward conversations. If socializing with others seems to be more difficult than before, try taking a quick power nap to regain your communication skills.
6. Prevent Jet Lag
If you are traveling to a different timezone, always take preventative measures to ensure that you don't experience jet lag. Jet lag manifests when your body's internal clock is out of sync with the outside world. This can make you want to sleep during the day and stay up through the night.
While it is always wise to sleep when your body feels tired, try to prepare yourself for the time change. As you attempt to adjust your sleep schedule to fit the current zone, adopt certain sleep aids to make your transition easier. Using a supportive travel pillow and a warm, fleece blanket may make it easier to sleep while you’re away from your bed.
Takeaway
Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, sleep is essential to enjoying the journey ahead. Be prepared to experience some level of difficulty while sleeping away from home. Set yourself a bedtime and take naps whenever you can. With the right amount of sleep, you’re sure to have a vacation worth remembering.
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