5 Things to Pack to Help You Sleep Better When Traveling

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Jet lag, changes to your routine, noisy hotel rooms—the elements of travel are the perfect recipe for a terrible night’s sleep. Tossing and turning all night in an unfamiliar environment can make you feel miserable on your trip, as no one wants to spend their vacation tired and yawning.

Fortunately, you can pack a few small things to vastly improve your chances of sleeping well—even if you wind up in a bright and loud hotel room or are trying to catch some shut-eye on your overnight flight.

Dagsmejan Nattwell Sleep Tech Pajamas

Can’t get your hotel room to the perfect temperature at night? It won’t matter with Dagsmejan’s Nattwell Sleep Tech Pajamas. Made from Dagsmejan’s trademarked Nattwell fabric, these breathable pajamas are designed to help you regulate your body temperature and sleep better. 

The fabric is six times more breathable than cotton and are moisture-wicking to keep you dry even in the hottest environments.  

The Nattwell fabric is available in shorts for hot sleepers, and all the clothing in the line is tagless and constructed with flat seams for ultimate comfort. 

Cabeau Air TNE Pillow

Sleeping on a plane can feel like an impossible task. Most travel pillows simply don’t work, allowing your head to bob the minute you slip into slumber. Cabeau’s new Air TNE pillow solves this problem, closing the standard u-shaped loop with an adjustable chinstrap that provides 360-degree support and stops your head from slumping forward. 

The TNE is inflatable, allowing you to add just enough air to keep the neck supports at the perfect height and saving room in your carry-on.

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Loop Quiet Earplugs

Noisy hotels, loud plane cabins, travel partners who snore—there’s a reason earplugs are one of the first things we always pack on a trip. Loop’s Quiet Earplugs feel like the first-class version of traditional bulky foam earplugs. Made from soft and flexible silicone, these sleek earplugs are comfortable even for side sleepers, and they’re discreet enough that you can wear them through the airport or on the plane without attracting attention.

We especially love the tiny carrying case the Loops come with, which helps keep them clean and protected during travel.

Lavender Sleep Spray

Several studies have shown that lavender can help with sleep quality, and it’s an inexpensive and drug-free way to relax and fall asleep faster while traveling. Spray this essential oil blend on your pillowcase the next time you travel to feel calmer and sleep better. It won’t stain your pillowcase; if nothing else, it will help cover up any musty hotel room odors.

Manta Sleep Eye Mask

If you’ve ever been woken up by annoyingly bright sunlight shining through hotel room curtains that don’t close completely, you know how essential an eye mask can be. We recommend Manta’s Sleep Eye Mask, which completely blocks out light.

The eye mask has lightweight foam cups that provide total blackness without putting pressure on your eyelids, allowing for the rapid eye movement that’s important for deep sleep. 

All of the products featured in this story were hand-selected by our travel editors. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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