You finally arrive, tired from the drive or the flight, and climb into a perfectly comfortable bed. Then you lie awake listening to the ice machine, the air conditioner and the unfamiliar creaks of a strange room. If the first night of a trip is often your worst, you are far from alone.
The first-night effect
Sleep researchers have a name for this: the first-night effect. People often sleep less deeply on their first night in an unfamiliar place, and some research suggests that part of the brain stays a little more alert, as if keeping watch in new surroundings. It usually eases by the second or third night. Knowing that can take some of the frustration out of a restless first night. It is normal, and it tends to pass.
The rest of the work is helping a new space feel more familiar and more comfortable, as quickly as possible.
In a hotel room
- Control the light. Pack an eye mask, and a couple of binder clips or clothespins to pinch gaping curtains closed. Cover small glowing lights with a bit of tape or a folded tissue.
- Soften the noise. Earplugs, a white noise app or the room’s fan setting can mask hallway sounds. When booking, it is reasonable to ask for a room away from elevators and ice machines.
- Cool the room. Set the thermostat a little cool before you go to dinner, so the room is comfortable at bedtime.
- Bring a familiar cue. Your own pillowcase, a favorite sleep shirt or a lavender sachet from home can make the room feel more like yours.
In a relative’s guest room
Staying with family brings its own challenges: different schedules, early risers, pets, a mattress that has seen better days. Bring your own small comforts, such as an eye mask, earplugs and a book. It is perfectly polite to ask about the household’s morning routine, so you know when the coffee maker starts and the dog goes out. If the room is warm, ask whether a fan is available. Most hosts are glad to help their guests sleep well, and a gentle request is easier than three restless nights.
At a summer campsite
Camping in a Georgia summer is mostly about staying cool. Choose a site with afternoon shade if you can, open the tent’s vents and windows for airflow and set up on level ground. A good sleeping pad makes more difference than most people expect, and a small battery fan can make a warm night far more pleasant. Respect the campground’s quiet hours, and check the park’s official website ahead of time for rules, closures and fire restrictions.
Keep your rhythm
Wherever you are, try to keep something of your usual wind-down routine: a warm shower, a few pages of a book, the same lights-out time you keep at home. Familiar habits signal that it is time to rest, even in an unfamiliar room. If you have ongoing trouble sleeping, at home or away, talk to your doctor. Otherwise, be patient with yourself on the first night. By the second, the room is usually starting to feel like yours.