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I’m working at a hotel today because I was traveling over the holidays, but I didn’t wake up from work groggy this morning, even though I’ve spent the last three days running around an unfamiliar city. ‘Cause when it comes to my sleep, I’m a militant little freak. Even sleeping in a hotel bed in a strange place can’t stop me from getting the rest I know I deserve. From hotels to motels, Airbnbs to friends’ couches, and even on the plane or in the car, I’m always ready to get some blissful, effective shut-eye. Here’s what to pack so you can rest well no matter where you are in the world.
What I packed this week to get a good night’s sleep
A big part of getting a good night’s sleep comes from maintaining a routine. So the first things I packed weren’t necessarily sleep aids, but rather the tools I use to wind down and signal to my body that it’s time to go home. Taking the same steps, smelling the same smells, and preparing myself in the same way as I would if I were in my own bed helps get my brain to calm down when I’m on one otherwise unknown place. On this particular trip, that meant packing a mini version of my usual skincare routine. I got myself a new one COSRX favorites set ($36) a few days before my departure. I also added one Mini version of one of my favorite lotionsA Gua Sha tool, Spots under the eyes, whitening stripsAnd a silk bonnet to protect my hair while I slept and perfectly reflects all the actions, tastes and smells of my normal nighttime routine.
Aside from the fact that they’re all $20 or less, the key here is that they all are small; They fit exactly in my carry-on luggage. Two tips: I removed everything I could from the original packaging so my eye patches and white strips weren’t in bulky boxes that took up too much space, and I recommend purchasing a set of travel bottles so you can refill your favorite lotions. Shampoos, conditioners, mouthwashes and skin care products without having to pack huge containers. A good set costs about $10 But it makes packing a lot easier.
As for the products that actually help me sleep well, I’ve packed up first my chin strap. Somewhat skeptically, I picked up this thing about a month ago and have noticed an improvement in my sleep quality as it forces me to sleep with my mouth closed by wrapping it tightly under my chin and securing it behind my ears. Many people use mouth tape for this purpose, but that feels claustrophobic to me, and it’s less wasteful than disposable tape and also folds up much smaller for packing. I sleep with it all the time now, but I find it particularly useful in hotels, where I don’t have a humidifier and generally can’t control the air quality that well because I don’t wake up with a sore throat after breathing in the air with my mouth in an unfamiliar place.
I’m very passionate about sleeping in darkness and silence, so I always have tools on hand to help me do that. For this trip, I decided to pack something instead of my bulky foam eye cover Disposable steam eye masks. They don’t block light quite as effectively as my full-size mask (though they definitely still do that), but because they’re paper-thin and individually packaged, they take up a lot less space in my bag. They also warm you up and give off a calming lavender scent, which I find is helpful for slipping into a sleepy state in an unfamiliar room. As always, remember Earplugseither. One thing I didn’t pack but would have liked to do is a combination of both: Sleep headphones with mask onso you can hear white noise and block out light.
I get picky when it comes to pajamas. You can’t know the exact thermostat situation in advance before checking into a hotel, so you can’t predict whether the room will be too cold or too warm – not to mention the compromises you might have to make if you go with it traveling to another person. (I’m a bit of a freak and love turning up the heat all the waybut no one agrees with me.) The pajamas I packed for this trip are actually one piece: A Funziez onesie. This is ideal because it’s not too fluffy or too hot, but has a long zipper that can be opened if you overheat. With its thin but warm fabric, these are by far the best travel pajamas I’ve ever found, and they eliminate the need to pack multiple pieces of pajamas.
In conclusion, I’m not too picky about sleeping in unfamiliar linens, but there is some comfort in knowing that I’m sleeping in linens that I’ve washed, confident in their cleanliness and the soothing scent of my own Detergent smell I usually pack mine Light brown fan sleeping bagto. Essentially, it’s a very thin, silky sleeping bag that places some fabric between your body and your sheets. It’s designed to prevent self-tanner from getting on bed sheets (which is why I bought it in the first place), but it’s actually proven to be a pretty invaluable travel essential for me too, whether I’m tanned or not.
