Sleeping Tips

Summer Jet-sets are the perfect way to get away and relax for summer. But traveling far distances doesn’t just give you that feeling of “being away”, it also has physical ramifications. Our bodies have an “internal clock” and we have these things called circadian rhythms that basically tell us when we are tired or want to wake up. They run off a 24 hour day so that is what gives us our regular sleeping pattern. When we travel to different time zones however, this gets disrupted and that is what causes the common condition known as jet-lag. 

Jet-lag is real physical condition and it is quite annoying, especially when it interferes with your vacation plans. Jet lag can take days to disband and that can take up your entire get-away, leaving you to feel tired and lethargic your whole trip--not so fun!

 Although it cannot be avoided, there are some simple tips that you can use to help make the tired, anxious, and just plain icky feeling controlled so you can enjoy your free time.

Tip 1 Dive in                                                                    

Now when changing time zones, you are going to get jet lag, so instead of getting frustrated and focusing on what time it should be… dive into the new time zone. Make sure all your clocks/watches are changed to the current zone and try to go to bed and wake up at appropriate times to the new zone. This may be tough, but the sooner you can get your biological clock on tick with the change of time the better. Avoid doing the math in your head to figure out what time it is at home and what time it should be…. It’s not that time anymore for you so get acquainted with the new one.

Tip 2 Keep on Schedule

When on vacation or even a business trip, make sure it is as planned out and organized as possible. Make a schedule and stick to it. Knowing what you are going to do each day will put less stress on you and therefore less stress on your body. It’s simple. If your body is less stressed, it will be less restless at night and you will find it easier to go to sleep. Additionally, if you keep busy thought the day, then you will be more tired at night and hopefully will fall asleep faster.

Tip 3 Pre-game

Now taming jet lag starts as early as say the week before your trip. The best way to keep it minimal is to make sure your body is prepared to best combat the “shock” it is about to receive, so a week or so before you travel take a few precautions. Avoid drinking as best you can, alcohol is a toxin and just another thing that will prevent your body from preforming its best. Make sure you also get a lot of rest, eat healthy, and stay hydrated. This will make sure you are rested before your trip and your body will be well equipped to handle the looming jet-lag.

Vacations are fun, and jet lag is clearly not, but we hope some of these tips can help you to march into that new time zone knowing you are READY to defend your biological clock and tame the beast that is jet lag.

Peace.Love.Sleep!

Summer means traveling and for you young (or old) recent grads, you may be thinking about traveling abroad to broaden your horizons and gain a life changing multicultural experience. Well if you are, we approve. Traveling to another country is a very important part of ones life and we fully support it! The thing is, where are you going to stay? Hostels are a cheap and interesting way to get the entire “abroad” experience…but a hostel… really? Don’t you sleep with strangers in the same room? 

How on earth will you get sleep while simultaneously worrying about who’s sleeping in the bunk next to you and if they know where your valuables are?Well, we know this concept may seem strange and well, scary, but hostels are a great way to meet new people and sharpen your intercultural competency. On the flip side however, the concept is not one that is widely accepted in America…it just seems weird to us. So, for this reason, we would like to give you some tips for if you plan on staying at a hostel this summer.

Tip 1 Pack accordingly

When you pack your things, keep in mind that hostels are very communal, so anything you don’t want to share, you should bring your own of. Bring your own pillow and maybe some blankets so you feel clean and safe.

Tip 2 Get comfortable

Anxiety from the culture shock and unfamiliarity will cause you to have trouble falling asleep. Losing sleep, along with jet lag, will be a recipe for a not so fun time when you are out sightseeing during the day. To reduce the inevitable anxiety that you will encounter due to being in a new country, and with a bunch of strangers… get familiar with everything. As soon as you get there try to interact with others. Chances are you will find others that speak English and you can easily communicate with them. Also, get familiar with your surroundings and where you are staying. The more you recognize it, the more you will be at ease.

If the hostel doesn’t offer lockers, put your valuables in your bed with you, that way you may feel more at ease and you will therefore get to rest easy at night and get more sleep.

Tip 3 HAVE FUN

Now remember you are on vacation, so treat it as such! Relax, unwind, and let your troubles disappear. If you let yourself relax then you will sleep better at night and wake up more rested the next morning. We can’t begin to tell you how important a good night’s sleep is… especially when you have a busy sightseeing day ahead of you.

If you are traveling, stay safe and we wish you the balanced rest you deserve!

Peace.Love.Sleep!

Its summer time! You are jetting off to some tropical paradise with the entire family for a well-deserved vacation. Too bad that 14 hour flight means 14 hours of restlessness. When are you going to get some sleep? As you well know, we are deeply concerned with your sleeping pattern, and so we thought we would give you some tips as to how to ACTUALLY sleep on an airplane, as opposed to driving yourself crazy with anxiety and sleeplessness.

Tip 1 Come prepared

Before you even board the plane, make sure you have all the essentials to fly to sleepy town. Pack in a carry on a set of pajamas or sweats, big socks or slippers, and a blanket from home. If you sleep with a mask or stuffed animal, bring that too. Anything that reminds you of your bed and sleeping arrangement at home will help. Also, make sure you buy a travel pillow; they will help you to sleep in the upright position.When you book your flight, if there is assigned seating pick a window seat. If not, try to get on the plane as quick as possible so you can pick your seat. The window seat not only allows you to prop up against the side, but it also sees far less traffic from other people moving around on the plane so you are less likely to be disturbed.

Tip 2 skip the sip

Now most people reach straight for the coffee when they reach the airport. Usually you have to start the day early on travel day and coffee just seems like a given. However, 86ing the coffee will keep you tired from your long day so you are more likely to fall asleep on the plane. Caffeine is a stimulant so it will make it harder for you to fall asleep, even after the initial java jolt wears off.

Tip 3 Don’t be that guy

What most people don’t think about is what happens when they are finally asleep. Since an airplane is very public, you want to make sure you are not doing anything embarrassing like snoring. No one wants to be FINALLY asleep just be woken up by angry or laughing passengers staring at you in annoyance;like this guy:  http://youtu.be/ZH9JMlex9p8

We recommend bringing an anti-snoring device, like ZQuiet, on your trip. It is not some big bulky machine, it is simply a mouthpiece that fits inside your mouth and places your jaw slightly forward to allow more air to pass through your throat. No snoring means no annoyance and you and your fellow passengers will rest easier

Now we know you just want what is best for your child, so when it comes to sleeping arrangements in the first year or so, what do you do? Do you set up a crib in your room or do you let them sleep in bed with you? There are many advantages and disadvantages to both methods, and obviously there are safety issues with both as well, but although safety is important, we are concerned with you and your baby’s quality of sleep as well.

Advantages include:

However:

Advantages include:

However:

The fact is that everyone is different and this debate will go on forever. Both can work, so just chose the one that works best for you and your baby. If your baby sleeps better a certain way, then use that one so you can sleep better too.