When you move to a new place, tiredness doesn’t always mean sleep. Researchers say predictable cues from your home help your brain relax; without them, it stays on alert. Practical steps can reduce that first-night restlessness.
The “First-Night Effect” is a common reaction: an unfamiliar sleep environment can make your brain lighter and more alert, even when you feel tired.
Internal sleep signals (lowered core temperature, rising melatonin) need matching external cues (routine, familiar items) for smooth sleep onset.
Bring familiar sleep items—pillowcase, sleep mask, a scent—and avoid scheduling demanding activities the morning after arrival to give yourself time to adjust.
fcafotodigital via Getty Images New research says those who go to bed after 1 a.m. Though my Instagram stories tell a different story, my first day of travel is always tinged with a little delirium. Airports, flying, navigating a new country and then, horror of all horrors, trying to sleep in a new bed.
Just as parents might do for their small child, pack your sleep routine with you. "If you have a particular pillow case or a sleep mask, or a certain scent that helps you sleep at home, try bringing these with you so your brain has some familiar cues in an unfamiliar environment." Can do. They also recommend not doing anything too strenuous on your first full day of your holiday, saying: "If you know you're sleeping somewhere new, expect that the first night might not be your best.
What's Hot Skip to Main Content × Main Menu U.K. regularly are more likely to develop a mental health disorder. At home, your typical pre-sleep wind-down habits and familiar surroundings tell your body it is safe to sleep." Of course, in a new place with an unfamiliar sleep environment, that built-in safety check is in disarray and even if we feel physically tired, our brains are still on high-alert, leaving us feeling wired and restless.
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Moving to university is a big change. You’re getting used to a new place, meeting new people, finding your way around and figuring out a completely new routine. While there can be lots to look forward to, it’s also completely normal to miss home. You might find yourself missing your family, your friends, your pets, […]
Home is often described as a place of comfort, but familiar surroundings do […]
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