Feb 14 2025 - Feb 17 2025
Puerto Rico: Climbing, Slacklining, AcroYoga and Surfing Retreat
Puerto Rico
One of the most valuable skills you can develop as a traveler is the ability to sleep (and poop!) anywhere. Whether you’re in a bustling airport, on a cramped bus, or in a basic $5 hotel room with questionable bedding, learning to get quality rest in any environment will transform your travel experience. The reality of being on the move is that ideal sleep conditions are rarely guaranteed. So, if you want to travel extensively and stay energized for your adventures, mastering the art of sleep is essential. Here are our top tips to help you sleep like a baby, no matter where you are.
I was raised to sleep anywhere. When my parents were up, the house was lively, and if you wanted to sleep, you could—but they wouldn’t tiptoe around you. They took my brother and me everywhere, and if we were tired, we got a blanket and pillow to lay down wherever we were. While some might frown upon this today, it’s something I now deeply appreciate. Back then, I didn’t know anything different—we simply learned to sleep where we were. Looking back, I realize how valuable this skill is, especially as a full time traveler.
Sleeping anywhere doesn’t come naturally to everyone, but it’s a skill that can be trained. Start by practicing at home. Try napping in less-than-ideal conditions—with background noise, in different rooms, or even on the floor. This helps your mind and body adapt to unfamiliar environments.
Create a pre-sleep routine to signal your body that it’s time to rest, no matter where you are. This could include stretching, meditating, practicing breath-work or listening to a relaxing playlist.
While you can’t control the noise, light, or comfort level of every place you sleep, you can bring along tools to improve your sleep environment. Here’s what we recommend and in the order of importance to us.
These are essential for drowning out street noise, snoring roommates, crying babies in a plane (unless they are yours!) or the constant hum of a train. Sam and I travel with both Apple AirPods Pro and Sony over-the-ear headphones, and there have been times when we’ve needed to layer them on.
We like pairing them with soothing music, white noise, guided meditations or really soothing youtube videos that explain the current political landscape. You know anything that make us fall asleep.
The important thing if for you to practice going to sleep with them before your trip.
A face mask can be a game-changer in controlling your sleep environment. It helps regulate temperature, prevents dehydration by keeping the air around your mouth and nose slightly humid, in addition to providing a barrier against airborne germs. With the biggest benefit being, keeps your drool to yourself! A definite bonus when you’re dozing off in public places.
For an added benefit, you can control unpleasant smells in public locations by adding a drop of your favorite essential oil to your mask. If you do this, it’s a good idea to have two separate masks: one for sleep, infused with soothing aromas like lavender, and another for staying alert, with invigorating scents like orange. This way, your mask not only enhances comfort but also boosts your mood or provides relaxation as needed.
Blocking out light is a great idea because even small amounts of light can interfere with your body’s ability to produce melatonin, the hormone responsible for regulating sleep. A dark environment signals your brain that it’s time to rest, which improves sleep quality and helps you wake up feeling more refreshed.
While a high-quality eye mask is a common solution for blocking out light, we don’t think you necessarily need to travel with a dedicated mask. Sam, for example, uses his sunglasses and hat to cover his eyes. I’m almost always cold, so I wear a beanie to sleep and simply pull it down over my eyes if there’s light around. You can also get creative by using a buff, scarf, or any soft fabric you have on hand. The key is to create a light-free environment, no matter where you are.
Even in warm climates, having something familiar to wrap yourself in can enhance comfort and improve sleep. We love traveling with a Cocoon Liner—it literally makes us feel cocooned and helps us fall asleep anywhere. Plus, it offers protection against bed bugs, and its silky-smooth fabric feels soft and comforting regardless of the quality of the bedding under or on top of you.
I used to make fun of people who traveled with pillows, but now I’m a convert! A compact, comfortable travel pillow can make all the difference. There are tons of travel pillows out there, so find one that fits your needs both on and off the plane.
One of the biggest barriers to sleep while traveling is anxiety. Whether it stems from concerns about safety, the unfamiliarity of your surroundings, not wanting to let a stranger see you sleep or even the worry of not being able to sleep, anxiety can keep your mind racing and prevent restful sleep. The key is to find ways to ease your mind and create a sense of calm.
If you’re anxious about your next plan or itinerary, review your plan and write a few notes before bed. This simple action can help clear your mind and give you a sense of preparedness. If you’re worried about oversleeping, set an alarm to ease that concern, allowing you to relax without the fear of missing something important.
For those who feel uneasy about their belongings, find a solution that makes you feel secure—whether it’s locking your bags, using a travel wallet, or keeping valuables close to you while you sleep.
If you are the kind of person that worries about someone else watching you drool, make noises or look less than perfect. Cocoon yourself to not let them see you! Hide inside your beanie, hoodie, face mask, eye mask and noise-canceling headphones. And for the unexpected farting noise? Well, the noise cancelling headphones and face mask will help you believe no one noticed.
The most important thing is to continuously identify what’s causing your anxiety and look for practical ways to address it. By taking small steps to mitigate your worries, you’ll create a more relaxed environment that makes falling asleep easier, no matter where you are.
Jet lag can be a significant hurdle when traveling across time zones, disrupting your ability to fall asleep and stay energized. To minimize its effects, consider gradually adjust your sleep schedule in the days leading up to your trip by shifting your bedtime closer to the destination’s time zone. Once you arrive, combat jet lag by exposing yourself to natural light during the day. Taking a walk or engaging in gentle exercise can help your body adjust, as sunlight signals when it’s time to be awake and active.
If we arrive with too much energy, we find ways to tire ourselves out—whether it’s by exploring the area, doing light physical activity, or staying awake until a reasonable bedtime. This proactive approach helps us reset our internal clocks more quickly, while reminding ourselves that jet lag is a natural process that requires time and patience, so we let it be and celebrate it as part of the traveling experience.
Learning to sleep anywhere not only makes you a better traveler but also builds resilience and adaptability—two essential qualities for any adventure. Start practicing now, and by the time your next trip rolls around, you’ll be well-prepared to catch some quality sleep, no matter where you find yourself.
So, the next time your neighbor decides to mow the lawn early in the morning, the trash truck shows up at dawn, a random car alarm goes off in the middle of the night or your your roommate decides that 11 pm is the perfect time to vacuum, take a moment to be grateful for the opportunity to practice your sleeping skills.
Happy travels and even happier sleepy time!
Sam and Raquel are professional sleepers. As full-time nomads, you’ll find them catching z’s in their trusty Delica or peacefully asleep in all sorts of random spots around the world. Ironically, the only place they struggle to sleep is back home, where an endless list of blogs waiting to be written keeps their minds buzzing long past bedtime.
Our complete collection of slackline gear, thoughtfully designed for all skill levels.
