You’ve spent hours traveling to your next trade show and even more hours getting set up and ready for the doors to open. After a late dinner with your coworkers, you return to your hotel and collapse into bed, ready for a good night’s sleep. But instead of restful, restorative sleep, you wake up incredibly groggy, still exhausted from the previous day’s events. Sound familiar?
Getting a good night’s sleep is important if you want to stay alert the next day and perform at a high level. It also reduces stress while improving overall health and well-being. Here are some tips to help your business travelers feel more rested.
Business Travel Tips for Better Sleep
When you’re traveling, a strange bed in an unknown hotel room with unfamiliar noises may contribute to less than optimal sleep.
Next time your team is on the road for work, try these tips and tricks to help everyone get the best rest possible:
Schedule strategically
This is a top tip for business travelers. If you can, leave a day earlier and head home a day later to allow some down time between travel and work. Also, take a later flight instead of the red-eye. It helps reduce stress and increases the time available for sleeping.
Bring the familiar
A familiar item or two can put people at ease in a strange hotel. Give those frequent business travelers something they will find comforting, such as a soft Travel Pillow/Blanket.
Stick to your routine
If you have a strict bedtime routine at home, keep it when traveling. Encourage your employees to do the same.
Power down cellphones, laptops, tablets and TVs
Scientific studies have shown that the blue light emitted from electronic devices and TVs negatively affects melatonin, the hormone that induces sleep. Instead, relax with a good book or magazine.
Block out the surrounding sounds
Light sleepers may be bothered by unfamiliar noises. People who need white noise to cancel out disruptions may appreciate an ultra-portable fan (also a great trade show giveaway). For those who may prefer soothing sounds, a small Bluetooth® speaker to pair with a phone app that plays nature sounds or relaxing music might do the trick.
Lose the light
Since our bodies are programmed to wake when it’s light, draw the curtains and turn off all lights. An eye mask can also block out light—and it’s a simple giveaway for trade shows.
Skip the coffee and nightcap
Because caffeine is a stimulant, limiting the amount you consume during the day—especially within six hours of bedtime—can make a big difference. Skip the coffee and soda, and sip some water from a collapsible sport bottle bag.
The next time you or your coworkers need to hit the road, consider these tips and gift ideas to help keep everyone calm, cool and well rested.