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I am working from a hotel today because I traveled for the holidays, but I didn’t wake up groggy for work this morning even though I spent the last three days running around an unfamiliar city. That’s because when it comes to my sleep, I’m a militant little freak. Even being 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 a plane or in a car, I am always prepared to shut my eyes blissfully and effectively. Here’s what to pack so you rest well no matter where you are in the world.
What I packed to sleep well this week
A big part of getting a good night’s sleep is maintaining a routine, so the first things I packed weren’t necessarily sleep aids so much as the tools I use to wind down and signal to my body that it’s time for bed when I’m home. Taking the same steps, smelling the same smells, and preparing the same way I would if I were in my own bed helps trick my brain into settling down when I’m in an otherwise unfamiliar spot. On this particular trip, that meant packing a mini version of my usual skincare routine. I picked up a new COSRX Favorites set ($36) a few days before I left. I also added a mini version of one of my go-to lotions, a gua sha tool, undereye patches, whitening strips, and a silk bonnet to protect my hair while I slept, perfectly mirroring all the actions, flavors, and smells of my normal nighttime routine.
In addition to all of those being $20 or less, the key here is that all of them are small; they fit right in my carry-on. Two tips: I took everything I could out of its original packaging, so my undereye patches and white strips weren’t in bulky boxes that took up too much space, and I recommend buying a set of travel bottles so you can decant favorite lotions, shampoos, conditioners, mouthwash, and skincare products without having to pack giant containers. A good set runs about $10 but makes packing a lot easier.
As for the products that actually help me sleep well, I started by packing my chin strap. I somewhat dubiously picked this thing up about a month ago and have noticed an improvement to my sleep quality because it forces me to sleep with my mouth closed by wrapping firmly under my chin and attaching behind my ears. A lot of people use mouth tape for this purpose, but that feels claustrophobic to me and this is less wasteful than single-use tapes and folds up plenty small for packing, too. I always sleep with this on now, but I’ve found it especially useful in the hotel, where I don’t have a humidifier or much control of the air quality in general, because it stops me from waking up with a sore throat after mouth-breathing the air in an unfamiliar place.
I am deeply committed to sleeping in darkness and silence, so I also always have tools on hand to help me with that. For this trip, instead of my bulky foam eye cover, I opted to pack single-use steam eye masks. They’re not quite as effective at blocking out light compared to my big mask (though they definitely still do), but because they’re paper-thin and individually packaged, they take up a lot less space in my bag. Plus, they heat up and give off a soothing lavender scent, which I think is helpful for relaxing into a sleepy state in an unfamiliar room. As ever, don’t forget earplugs, either. One thing I didn’t pack but wish I did is a combo of both: Sleep headphones with an attached mask, so you can listen to white noise and block out light.
As for pajamas, I get particular. You can’t know the exact thermostat situation in advance before you check into a hotel, so you can’t predict if it will be too cold or too warm in the room—and that’s to say nothing of the compromises you might have to make if you’re traveling with another person. (I’m a little freak and love cranking the heat up all the way, but no one ever 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 hot, but has a long zipper that can be undone if you overheat. With its thin but warm fabric, this is the best travel pajama I’ve found by far and eliminates the need for packing multiple pajama pieces.
Finally, I try not to be too fussy about sleeping in unfamiliar linens because, but there is a little comfort that comes with knowing I’m sleeping in bedding I washed, certain of its cleanliness and smelling the comforting scent of my own detergent, so I usually pack my Tan Fan sleep sack, too. Essentially, it’s a very thin, silky sleeping bag that puts some fabric between your body and your sheets. It’s designed to stop you from getting self-tanner on your bedding (which is why I got it in the first place), but it’s actually turned out to be a pretty invaluable travel tool for me, too, whether I’m tanned up or not.
