How to Sleep Well on Holiday

Sunshine, siestas, sangria and more — holidays are full of fun, but many of us find they can take a toll on our sleep too.

From late nights and a change in routine, to a bit more alcohol and the stress of travel, there are lots of reasons why our sleep might not be at its best when we’re away from home.

But the good news is, there are simple steps you can take to make sure poor sleep doesn’t ruin a great time away.

So, how can we stop our sleep (or lack of it!) from impacting our holiday?

• Normalise not sleeping well on holiday. Remember, it’s completely normal to sleep less well when you’re out of routine and in a new place. Your body is simply doing Its job by staying vigilant in unfamiliar surroundings — it’s a survival instinct!

• Go to bed later but wake up at your usual time. This helps build your sleep drive, making it easier to fall asleep the following night.

• If you can’t sleep, don’t stress. Read your holiday book, watch something light on TV, or simply get out of bed and take in your surroundings for a while instead of tossing and turning. Then head back to bed when you feel truly sleepy.

• Reframe your thoughts. If you’re feeling tired in the day, focus on what’s good about being away: the memories you’re making, the change of scenery, the laughs with family and friends — rather than the temporary tiredness.

• Remember: stress is more exhausting than lack of sleep. Focus on what you can control — eating well, staying hydrated, getting daylight and enjoying where you are.

Always remember, we’re designed to cope on less sleep now and then, and things usually settle once we’re home and back in routine.

But if you find you’re still struggling once the suitcases are unpacked, you might need a little extra help to get back on track.

Want to learn more about my Sleep Well & Live Better course? See below