Stress, hectic schedules, tons of distractions, and a seemingly endless to-do list can easily hinder people from getting any sleep. This is why at least thirty percent of America’s population is sleep deprived. A lot of people opt to just miss out on a few hours of shuteye than drop whatever they’re doing and just go to bed.
This, of course, is a very unhealthy trend that should be stopped. It’s not good for the health and can even be fatal. In fact, over five thousand Americans died in 2015 because a good lot of people were behind the wheel when they’re feeling sleepy or tired. Drowsy driving has a $109 billion annual estimated societal cost, which is a great amount that can be easily minimized by improving your sleep.
While getting better sleep is a challenge on its own, getting started shouldn’t be a huge obstacle. All you need is the right mindset that you’re willing to strive to improve the quality of slumber and a vacation.
Sleep and Vacation
Yes, you’ve read that right, a vacation can actually help you reset your body clock and improve your approach on catching some shuteye. How? It’s actually pretty simple: vacations provide a break from your daily routine. Having nothing important to do will help you focus on getting some rest and could be a great way to start sleeping better. Being somewhere new can also help you disassociate your sleeping quarters with stress, letting you doze of easily and naturally come nighttime.
When it comes to taking a vacation to work on your sleep, the first thing you need to do is to label it as such. This means that this holiday will be about your relaxation and slumber. It’s not about exploring a different locale or going on rigorous outdoor adventures. While you can squeeze in an activity of that sort on your holiday, your itinerary shouldn’t be packed to the brim with things to do and places to see. The goal should be to enjoy your days off and spend them as leisurely as possible, so you won’t get stressed that you’re running late and you’re not maximizing your days by missing out on some tours or activities. Once you’ve convinced yourself that your vacation is about your wellness and relaxation, then you’re all set to spend a few days lounging around without any worries.
Different Kinds of Sleep Vacations
There are two types of sleep vacations that you can enjoy. First off are the curated wellness programs offered by the hospitality industry. Some hotels and travel companies are already offering sleep vacations. Their packages include a few nights’ stay at a nice hotel, spa sessions, massages, and even some lifestyle counseling to help you handle stress and prioritize your sleep more. Everything about these “wellness programs” are focused on improving the quality of your slumber, making them some of the most luxurious vacations nowadays.
Another option is to DIY your sleep vacation. Creating your own getaway is not the toughest things to do, especially if you’re not really planning on going somewhere far or exotic. For a simple and more budget-friendly sleep getaway, here are a few things that you can do:
- Look for hotels with amenities that will help you relax. Go for one with a full service spa, pools, and gym. This way, you don’t have to go elsewhere to get some pampering done. The hotel doesn’t have to be far away from your home, it might even be better if you don’t have to travel too far away so you can skip the hassle of travelling far for your relaxation.
- Opt to stay home. You can also skip having to go anywhere and pay for accommodations if you’re not a big fan of staycations or if you can’t sleep anywhere else than your bedroom. You might want to tidy up or change your bedroom a bit by arranging it the best way you can relax, though. You can also schedule your sleep vacation at home on the arrival of your new Restonic mattress, so you can fully enjoy the comfort of your new bed right away.
- Book the spa sessions of your choice. You can always opt for a massage, acupuncture, acupressure, mani-pedi, or a water massage. Choose whatever method that can help you relax, as long as you get to unwind and chill out.
- Because relaxing is your main goal on your sleep vacation, it’s best to stay away from outside factors that can rile you up. Stay away from your phone, social media, and the news on these days and you’ll discover just how relaxing it can be.
- Get some sun and exercise. A lot of vacations will get you out and about, allowing you to get some exercise and be a bit more exposed to the sun. This is great for your relaxation as being outside can easily reset your Circadian rhythm. This will help you sleep easier by the evening, prompting your sleep vacation to get its full effect.
- Go to bed at the right time. If you’re trying to condition yourself to sleep earlier, you should start your change during your vacation. Calculate the best time in the evening to go to sleep according to your intended wakeup time and go to bed around that time.
- Sleep until you wake up naturally. Especially if you’re sleep deprived, you should take advantage of this vacation to pay off some of your sleep debt.
Hopefully, these tips help you out in resetting your sleep hygiene. They’re not the easiest tasks to pull off, but with patience and a bit of perseverance, you’ll surely get the quality sleep you need in no time.