The secret to a successful vacation? Sleep. If you’re not properly recharging, you can’t enjoy the day’s activities to the full extent. Here are my top five travel essentials – sleep edition.
If you’re taking a red-eye, you will want to bring your own travel pillow. The ones on the plane are usually not optimal, and the typical airplane pillow you can purchase near the gate simply does not work, for me at least (you know, the neck pillow that is somehow even less comfortable than no pillow at all). Enter Go Neck Pillow by Ostrich Pillow, an ergonomic design that allows you to rest your head back with cushiony support. Its memory foam composition features a flat side that goes between your neck and the seat, so you’re not jutting forward at an awkward angle. The outer cover is washable (an essential for me), and it comes in a handy drawstring pouch for storage.
Speaking of pillows, my favorite pillow brand Twilla just came out with a Mini Pillow, perfect for making the hotel feel a bit more like home. It’s 12 x 19 inches, easy to slip into your checked luggage. It also comes with a bag of extra support foam so you can completely customize it. Like their classic pillow, its materials are anti-mold and hypoallergenic.
If you experience sleep anxiety, especially in unfamiliar settings, a weighted blanket might be the answer to your prayers. Unfortunately, it’s tough to bring something that weighs 10-15 pounds on an airplane when you’re trying to pack as light as possible. I recently discovered the Topblan Weighted Lap Blanket on Amazon, a 7-pound blanket that measures that measures 24 x 29 inches. It’s small, but when placed on the chest and shoulder area, has the same effect as a throw or full-size blanket. I will definitely be trading those 7 pounds in my suitcase for this lifesaver during my travels this summer.
Finally, the tincture that never fails me – Apothékary’s Wine Down. Made with L-theanine, California poppy, and tart cherry, it promotes relaxation, not unlike a glass of wine (but without the alcohol). I was skeptical at first, but this truly works for me. If you’re traveling, you can put a dropperful directly into the mouth (at home I like to put it in tart cherry juice and savor the moment). Take this shortly before bed so any anxiety begins to melt away, and you’re ready for that full 8 hours.
