6 Travel Essentials for a Good Night’s Sleep

Travel can be such a pleasure, improving our quality of life. When we can travel without jet lag symptoms, that is. The good news is that we can prepare in advance, first by studying the best book for jet lag, then by getting the travel essentials to get a good night’s sleep. Here’re the supplies that are sleep doctor recommended. Set yourself up to sleep on the flight with noise cancelling ear plugs, travel eye mask, and the best travel pillow we’ve ever tried. Take some plant based melatonin if your healthcare provider recommends, turn on the Calm sleep app, and off you go into sleep. Then wake up feeling good and ready to enjoy your day!

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The Best Travel Pillow

Being able to actually sleep on the plane makes all the difference. The trick is to be able to get a good night’s sleep while sitting up. With it’s firm yet soft design, this is the best travel pillow to get comfortable. It’s fully adjustable for people of all body types. It comes with its’ own travel case for storage between trips. With this you’ll be able to sleep on the plane, and arrive feeling well rested.

Travel Eye Mask

In order for our intrinsic melatonin to rise, we need true darkness. A little bit of light (even just enough to see your hand when stretched out at arms length!) is enough to interfere with melatonin. This travel eye mask is soft and comfortable, while creating true darkness. This part of the travel sleep strategy is essential to getting the sleep you need. Worth it!

Noise Cancelling Ear Plugs

Airplanes are noisy – noise from the engine, conversations and movies. Use noise cancelling ear plugs to block all that out, let your thoughts soften, and drift off to sleep. These ear plugs are specially designed for sleep, so they are safe and comfortable for side sleeping. As you snuggle into your seat, use these noise cancelling earplugs along with the eye mask and travel neck pillow, to happily drift off to sleep.

Calm Sleep App

Travel is thought provoking, there’s just no way around it. Now that you’re on your way, time to set your thoughts aside so you can sleep well. Though it can be so hard, after such a busy time getting ready to for travel. This is the perfect app to calm your thoughts and drift off to sleep.

The Best Book for Jet Lag

Jet lag symptoms can really ruin your trip. Whether you travel regularly, or more for special occasions, this is a travel essential. This is the best book for jet lag. First you’ll get an understanding of why international travel causes so many symptoms. Then get into strategies to adjust your circadian rhythm in advance, and ways to decrease symptoms once you arrive.

Plant Based Melatonin

Melatonin is the one sleep supplement I feel strongly about, as quality at drugstores is particularly low. The amount of melatonin in the capsule often varies from what’s on the label. Plant based melatonin, Herbatonin, is the best available. It comes in 0.3mg and 3mg, both appropriate at different times to reduce jet lag symptoms. Check with your healthcare provider before taking any supplement, and to get the right dose schedule for you.

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Dr. Catherine Darley, ND

Dr. Catherine Darley is a pioneering internationally recognized expert in the use of natural, behavioral and lifestyle medicine for the treatment of sleep disorders.

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