Why do I sleep better on vacation?
For many of us, a vacation is one of the few opportunities we get to completely relax. Many of us feel we sleep better when we go away, and science backs this up.
Picture your ideal vacation: your days are stress-free, you fall asleep minutes after your head hits the pillow, and you wake the next morning feeling refreshed. If your sleep improves on vacation, it’s likely because, for once, you are physically and mentally in the right state for good sleep.
““Zoning out” slows brainwaves and makes it easier to fall and stay asleep.”
EXPOSURE TO DAYLIGHT
Morning light is essential to regulate the sleep/wake cycle and to build sleep pressure. On vacation, we often get more exposure to light in the morning, maybe because we are in a destination with longer daylight hours or simply because we seize the day and get out earlier. This keeps our circadian rhythms on track and makes it more likely we will get good sleep at night.
CAREFREE AND RELAXED
Away from the constraints and obligations of daily life, people’s stress levels usually decrease, enabling sleep-influencing hormones to work optimally. Also, freeing yourself from the need to be “busy” can encourage deep mental relaxation, or “zoning out.” This mildly hypnotic state has proven beneficial effects on both brain and body, enhancing your chances of good sleep.
Being on vacation can also mean you are more sociable than usual, taking time to enjoy the company of others. Positive social interaction can raise levels of oxytocin (the “love hormone”), leaving you feeling good, as well as further reducing the cortisol circulating in your body. One recent study that measured people’s sleep after eating out with friends found that their quality of sleep significantly improved following this social contact.
Finally, a vacation is a change of scenery, and this break from any negative sleep associations and habits you might have formed at home can offer you a chance to mentally wipe the slate clean and sleep well.
Vacation hormones
In a low-stress environment, cortisol stays low during the day and evening, enabling a healthy surge of sleepiness-inducing melatonin as night approaches.
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LIFESTYLE | Why do I sleep better on holiday?
TAKE VACATION SLEEP HOME
If you want to sleep better when you’re home from your travels, try to find ways to add those vacation habits to your routine.
• Make time for slowing down Although it’s tempting to cram your daily schedule, try to fight the urge and give yourself permission to do less—keeping mind and body as calm and stress-free as possible is crucial to good sleep.
• Get outdoors Being outside more during the day—and especially in the morning—means more exposure to daylight, which helps regulate natural sleep rhythms.
• Switch off Make time to wind down in the evenings by doing something sociable or relaxing in the few hours before you head to bed. This will help your body ensure its balance of hormones is optimal for sleep.