Mexican Riviera Beaches -Puerto Vallarta Villa Rentals, Hotels, Resorts

11 Proven Sleep Tips To Help You Rest Well In Any Strange Or Noisy Hotel

As an airline pilot, I've developed a list of sleep tips.

That's because I must spend many nights in hotel rooms and I must always be well rested when flying.

Many of these travel rest tips can also improve your sleep at home.

In addition to these great travel rest tips, there are some key travel accessories that I use to assure a great night sleep. They help while recovering from jet lag or sleeping at unusual hours, even in the noisiest locations.

The main reasons people have trouble sleeping well in hotel rooms are:

* Noise

* Light

* Temperature and humidity

* Uncomfortable pillows

* Uncomfortable bed

* Recovering from jet lag

* Being in a strange place

* Hunger

* Not employing sleep strategies

#1- Dealing with Noise

Noise can be the greatest hindrance to travel rest. The good news is there is quite a bit you can do about noise to get some good hotel rest.

Getting a good night's sleep in your hotel room begins as you drive up to your hotel.

Pay attention to potential noise sources near the hotel.

When you check in, before they give you your room assignment, specifically ask for a "quite room". If the highway or airport is on one side of the hotel, mention that and ask for a room on the other side of the building.

When I arrive outside my room, I pause and survey the area for potential noise sources.

If my room is in a bad location, I don't even enter the room. I just head back down to the desk and politely ask for a room in a more quiet location.

The only way to guarantee good travel rest in a noisy place is with a white noise machine.

If I were to give you only one sleep tip, it would be to get a white noise machine. It is a must-have travel accessory.

A white noise machine allows you to sleep in noisy places by producing background noise. This background noise doesn't register to your mind, and masks the noises that disturb sleep.

#2- Dealing with Light

Hotel room curtains rarely close completely. Use some clothespins to clip the curtains together.

The other thing that will help you sleep in a room that has light is a good sleep mask.

#3- Dealing with Temperature Changes

It's wise to get the temperature adjusted as soon as you get to your room. That's because if you wait until you go to bed, it's likely that you'll awaken because you're either too hot or too cold.

Sometimes hotel air conditioners make noisy clunking sounds when they cycle on and off. If you have a white noise machine, that's usually not a problem. If you don't, you might try to get a quieter room.

#4- Dealing with Uncomfortable Pillows

One of the hardest parts of adjusting to a different bed is not really the bed itself. It's the pillows. The pillows at the hotel are rarely like what you are used to at home.

There is a fantastic solution to this that's made a huge difference to me. You can get a small, memory foam travel pillow that gives you a consistent pillow wherever you sleep.

#5- Dealing with Uncomfortable Beds

This is also something that you want to figure out as soon as you get to your room. Not when it's late, you're tired, all ready for bed and when there are no more rooms available.

As soon as I get into my room, I sit and lie down on the bed to make sure that it is comfortable. If it's not, I head back sown to the front desk and ask if they have any rooms with newer beds.

#6- If You're Recovering From Jet Lag. This is a major factor after long east/west flights.

It is an extensive subject that I have written quite a bit about. You can find strategies for jet lag on my site.

#7- Make sure that you're satisfied with the Room cleanliness.

Whether it's perceived of a reality, if you think that the room or bed you are sleeping in isn't clean, it will affect your sleep. This is especially true if you think the bedding isn't clean.

You can easily bring your own bedding by using a contour travel pillow and dreamsack. Dreamsacks are silk bedding liners that are comfortable lightweight.

#8- Make things just like at home.

Create a routine and environment as close to what you are accustomed to as possible.

Make sure that your room reflects your smoking preferences.

Develop and practice a regular pre-sleep routine. Studies have shown that you can teach your body and mind that it's time to relax and prepare for sleep. If you do this at home as well as while traveling, you'll likely fall asleep more easily.

Keep your sleep time sacred and minimize other responsibilities before trying to go to bed. You should avoid worrying or working in your bedroom.

#9- Manage your Hunger.

If you're hungry before bed, eat a light snack. Otherwise, your hunger can delay your falling asleep.

Having some snacks available in your hotel room requires some advanced planning, unless the mini-bar prices don't bother you.

Don't eat a heavy meal before bed. This will disrupt your sleep because your stomach will be busy digesting your food.

Here are some snacks that travel well: dried fruit, nuts, power or granola bars.

If you're thirsty before bedtime, drink a small quantity of water.

Avoid alcohol and caffeine for several hours before bed.

#10- Don't watch the clock.

Turn the clock around so you can't see it. If you're having trouble sleeping, your awareness of the time and your thoughts of how late it is or how soon you have to get up will only make it harder to sleep.

Make sure that you have multiple alarms set, and then don't worry about over-sleeping. I usually get a wake-up call, set the room clock and also my travel clock.

If you can't fall asleep within about 30 minutes, don't keep lying in bed trying to fall asleep. Instead, get up and do an activity that will help you relax.

#11- General

Studies have shown that there are two main lifestyle habits that can promote good sleep:

Exercise Regularly. This will help you sleep better, but it is important not to exercise too close to bedtime. Otherwise you body won't cool down and relax in time for you to fall asleep.

Eat a balanced diet. This will help your overall health as well as improve your sleep.

That's just a brief overview. I highly recommend that you read my complete sleep tips article before you go on your next trip. Print it and take it with you.

If you visit my web site, you will also find extensive reviews of the travel accessories mentioned in this article.

Copyright 2005 by Ph.Developments USA, Inc. All rights reserved.

Pilot Paul M. is a captain at a major U.S. airline. He also hosts http://www.Pilot-Pauls-Travel-Accessories.com where an airline captain helps you with your travel needs.

If you would like to learn more travel tips, see travel accessory reviews and recommendations, learn insider's secrets, find travel discounts, or receive our FREE newsletter click on the link below:

Click here for Pilot Paul's Travel Accessories

Thanks and have a great trip!

Pilot Paul M.

MORE ARTICLES:

Uncovered: A New Resource for Real Estate Investment Opportunities in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
fundVallarta announces a full online resource for discovering real estate investment opportunities in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. With conditions similar to the property boom in California, Puerto Vallarta is poised to become an international performer with a solid return on investment. Visitors are able to access a significant knowledge-based investment resource center at the fundVallarta.com website.

Livin' La Vida Loca at Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Mexico is in itself a paradise with its lot of places that offer nothing but the best comfortable life to anyone. Out of the several coastal resort-type offerings in the region, Puerto Vallarta is possibly the greatest epitome of wonderland.

Spring Break Soccer Training and Spanish Language Camp in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Spring break soccer training and Spanish language camp will take place in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Maui Vacation Rentals Versus Maui Hotels And Resorts
Whether you are traveling to Maui has part of a honeymoon, a business trip, a family vacation, or a romantic getaway, you are sure to find that you have an unlimited number of choices. When it comes to these choices, many vacationers automatically think of the activities and attractions that they have access too. While a Maui vacation will give you just that, there are other choices that you will have to make; one of them being where plan on staying. If you have recently made the decision to take a trip to Maui, you will find that you could stay at a Maui hotel, a Maui resort, or a Maui vacation rental.

Mendocino Coast Hotel Pacific Mist Inn Whale Watchers Festival Vacation Rental Home Special
Mendocino Coast Hotel offers a new special during Whale Festival. Pacific Mist Inn and Cabins announced that throughout the month of March, they are offering a special for travelers to the Mendocino Coast, if a guest books any room or full cabin for two nights, the third night is for free.

CasaHelga.com Offers Over 120 Luxury Villa Rentals in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - New Website Offers More Photos, Videos, Search by Availability
Our new and improved website allows vacationers interested in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico to find a luxury villa suited exactly to their needs and available during the dates they specify. We've also added more photos and videos of the exclusive villa homes we represent.

In-Suite Spa Treatments Exude Romance in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
New In-Suite Spa Treament and Diamond Bath for Couples at Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort

New Shop & Spa Money at All-Inclusive 5 Diamond Puerto Vallarta Hotel
Travelers save Over 50% at Puerto Vallarta hotel Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort With $250 Credit during Summer & Fall

Puerto Vallarta Vacation Review
Just returning from a wonderful trip to Puerto Vallarta, I've decided that tropical vacations are good for the "soul". It's important to take the time to get a way from the everyday routine.

Celebrate Grandparents at Grand Velas Resort in Puerto Vallarta
Dolphin Encounters, Spanish Lessons, Mexican Folkloric Night and More As part of the Grandparents Package Available Until October 1st

Casa Velas in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Receives AAA Four Diamond Award
Casa Velas Hotel Boutique in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, is again joining the ranks of AAA Four Diamond Award winners. Casa Velas is the only adults-only all-inclusive golf resort in Mexico to receive this AAA Four Diamond award.

Discount Last Minute Puerto Vallarta Packages To The Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita
We managed a discount last minute Puerto Vallarta package to the Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita. In truth the discount was the bonus, because we fully intended to go there anyway, and pay the full price, but thanks to some work online, we got a huge discount. A quick thank you to The Vacation Bargain Finder, details of which can be found at http://www.worldwidevacationspots.com/pages/Vacation-Bargain-Finder.html

More Vacations at Puerto Vallarta MX
Puerto Vallarta MX is definitely one of the places where people can stay and enjoy more vacations Puerto Vallarta MX is in the state of Jalisco and is one of Mexicoýs premier resort cities

My Holiday Villa Rentals, Vacation Rentals and Holiday Homes by Owner
More and more vacationers are choosing the cheaper, more cost worthy option of renting a home. This is often a way to give holiday makers a larger more comfortable space for far less cost than a hotel room. Sending inquiry messages are free, any commissions are cut out completely as you rent direct from the owners. This is now becoming the most popular way to vacation around the world.