Jakarta, ThedailyID — A comfortable hotel room does not always guarantee a good night’s sleep. Some travelers may actually find it harder to sleep when spending their first night in a new place.
This phenomenon is known as the first night effect. It can make people take longer to fall asleep and wake up more frequently during the night.
Sleep researchers say the brain may remain more alert when a person tries to sleep in an unfamiliar environment.
Anna Wick, a senior sleep researcher at the University of Freiburg, explained that the brain can stay on alert when sleeping somewhere new, according to Euronews.
Research also suggests that people may sleep around 20 to 30 minutes less when staying in an unfamiliar environment. The brain region associated with deep sleep may also remain active, meaning people may not sleep as deeply as usual.
“The brain remains vigilant when we sleep in an unfamiliar environment,” Anna Wick said, according to Euronews, Monday (24/08).
Fortunately, the first night effect often becomes less noticeable after the first night as the brain becomes familiar with its surroundings.
However, other factors can also affect sleep while traveling. Lisa Strauss, a psychologist, said exhaustion from traveling can disrupt sleep even when travelers do not cross time zones.
Room conditions can also play a role. Flashing lights from smoke detectors, unfamiliar noises and other disturbances may make it harder to sleep.
Social situations can have an impact as well. For example, someone may find it harder to sleep when staying with relatives they do not know closely.
People with higher levels of anxiety may also be more vulnerable to the first night effect. Worrying about whether they will be able to sleep can make the problem worse.
Strauss recommends several ways to improve sleep during the first night of a trip:
- Keep the room cool and dark.
- Maintain a consistent sleep schedule.
- Follow a familiar bedtime routine.
- Reduce screen use before bed.
- Start practicing these habits before traveling.
Travelers can also make their hotel room feel more familiar by spending some quiet time in bed reading or relaxing as they would at home.
Bringing a favorite pillow or blanket may also help create a more familiar sleeping environment.
Losing a small amount of sleep during the first night is generally not a major concern. However, travelers with an important event the next day may benefit from arriving one day earlier to give their bodies time to adjust.
