Care2 Healthy Living/Jordyn Cormier: Trouble Sleeping in a New Place? This Might Be Why

Care2 Healthy Living  
Trouble Sleeping in a New Place? This Might Be Why
Trouble Sleeping in a New Place? This Might Be Why
tweet
email

    By: Jordyn Cormier
    April 28, 2018

    About Jordyn

We’ve all been there—exhausted after a day of traveling, you crash in a friend’s guest room only to wake up 8 hours later still feeling wiped. Maybe you had trouble falling asleep and continued to toss and turn all night, waking at every tiny noise or shift in light. Perhaps you blamed it on that green tea you had at 3pm. Either way, the next night you sleep like a baby, no problems.

This is a fairly common phenomenon, and there is a scientific explanation. It’s called first-night effect, and it is a well-documented form of sleep disturbance. But why do so many of us struggle to fall asleep on our first night in a new environment?

Recent research suggests that we have evolved a sort of “night watch.” When we sleep in a new place, oftentimes one hemisphere of our brain will stay more active throughout the night, instead of recharging. In an effort at protection, any external stimulation detected by the waking hemisphere will quickly wake the sleeper. Sure, it keeps humans safe from nocturnal dangers. But this also means that your entire brain is not recharging with plenty of deep sleep, which means you’ll feel a bit groggy the next day.

woman in bed late night trying to sleep suffering insomnia

Nowadays, it’s unlikely that your friend’s guest room is dangerous, so this can be a rather cumbersome evolutionary trait. The same first-night effect can be felt, perhaps more strongly, when camping. Foreign noises, unfamiliar temperatures, changing conditions—all of these things are watched by half of our brain, which explains why you may not feel well rested after your first night in your sleeping bag. The same phenomenon happens in all sorts of animals. It makes sense; the outdoors can feel like a scary place at night.

So what can you do to increase your chances of a good rest, no matter where you’re sleeping? It is important to make yourself as comfortable as possible. Yes, maybe that means bringing your own pillow. But it could also mean using a sound machine to drown out urban noise, wearing a sleeping mask to mimic the darkness of your home bedroom, or listening to Stephen Frye reading Harry Potter to lull you into dreamland as you sometimes do at home.

Use sounds, light, objects and familiar smells to instill a sense of safety and calm before bedtime. The more comfortable and safe you can make yourself feel on a subconscious level, the better your odds are for getting a deep, restorative sleep.
Related on Care2:

    Your Nightlight May Increase Your Depression Risk (& What to do About It)
    Would You Rather Pop a Pill or Exercise?
    Here’s What Happens to a Plastic Bag After You Throw It Away

GREAT STORY, RIGHT?
Share it with your friends
tweet
email

You Might Also Like

    Is India's Economic Potential Over-Hyped? Is India's Economic Potential Over-Hyped? TalkMarkets
    For Sexual Health, Does Pubic Hair Matter? For Sexual Health, Does Pubic Hair Matter?

    National Geographic Cancels “The Dog Whisperer” National Geographic Cancels “The Dog Whisperer”
    8 Obvious Signs Your Blood Sugar is High 8 Obvious Signs Your Blood Sugar is High

    Magical Peach Arugula Salad Magical Peach Arugula Salad

Recommended by
18 comments
Jessica K
Jessica Kjust now

I've run into this situation and it makes sense that there is something neurological about the phenomena. Thanks.
SEND
Angela J
Angela J14 minutes ago

Thanks
SEND
Sheila D
Sheila D20 minutes ago

It doesn't help if you're already a light sleeper. Thanks for the information.
SEND
Roro l
Roro labout an hour ago

Thank you.
SEND
Elizabeth H
Elizabeth Habout an hour ago

I never had problems with sleep when I went away. Slept like a log.
SEND
Janet B
Janet Babout an hour ago

Thanks
SEND
Chrissie R
Chrissie R2 hours ago

No problems here!
SEND
RK R
RK R2 hours ago

Makes sense. I only get six hours of sleep every day, but a night I get eight hours of sleep - Cat.
SEND
Ann B
Ann B3 hours ago

there are so many sleep factors why we dont sleep--noisy neighbors barking dogs trains on and on....i would love to have an entire 8 hours interrupted!!!!
SEND
Jeramie D
Jeramie D4 hours ago

Makes sense
SEND
TOP STORIES

    1
    The Surprising Habit that Raises Your Blood Pressure and Causes Cancer
    2
    Trouble Sleeping in a New Place? This Might Be Why
    3
    How Quantum Physics Bridges Science and Spirituality
    4
    9 Magnesium-Rich Foods to Ease Anxiety
    5
    What Are the Health Effects of the Hops Phytoestrogen in Beer?

ads keep care2 free
learn more ▸