Learn to sleep anywhere on the road.
We’ve all been there, desperately trying to get a good nights sleep because you have an early start in the morning but no matter how hard you try you just can’t sleep.
In backpacker hostels it can be extremely difficult with the numerous annoyances that prevent you from catching up on your sleep. I touched on this subject in my earlier article 8 things I hate about hostel dorms.
Thankfully we have some great tips to help you recover after a hard days or nights travel:
1. Bring some ear plugs
It maybe the most obvious one on the list, but it’s certainly one of the most important. When you’re trapped in a tiny 4 bed dorm with a huge snoring bear of a man (or women) in the bunk above you’ll be relieved that you packed a pair of ear plugs.
2. Bring along your mp3 player.
It doesn’t have to be a top of the range all singing all dancing ipod, just an mp3 player that can handle the ups and downs of travel. This item, much like the ear plugs will be a life saver when you want to shut out the rest of the world and just chill out. On my last trip I’d fall asleep listening to my mp3 player with a pair of snug noise reduction head phones.
Earlier I talked about this subject in the article “Should I take my mp3 player traveling”.
An mp3 player can be a life saver when traveling.
3. Be Tolerant
If you are going to be staying in numerous backpacking hostels you are going to have to be quite tolerant of other people. You’ll find people rustling plastic bags, coming in drunk and slamming doors… just to name a few. If you can’t tolerate this then you’ll find yourself getting very frustrated and agitated, in this frame of mind it’s pretty much impossible to sleep.
4. Learn to sleep anywhere
OK, so it might not be sleeping in the actual hostel but it’ll help you get by. I used to think that I was a light sleeper and that I could only really sleep in my own homely bed. After traveling for months I found myself falling asleep in the strangest places. I was soon able to catch up on sleep after the early morning starts by sleeping on clapped out buses, run down mini vans, on the beach, in the airport and just about anywhere whenever I needed to.
5. Be Flexible
Be flexible about when you are going to get some extra shut eye. In the afternoon in many hostels is a pretty good time as many people have headed out. If you have had a bad journey and are suffering from a lack of sleep just take the afternoon as an opportunity to rest while the hostel is at it’s quietest.
You have to learn to sleep differently when you are on the road. You can’t rely on having your own comfy bed at home and it’s likely they’ll be a few disturbances.
If you can adjust to these issues early on, the better nights (or days) sleep you’ll get and in turn the fresher you’ll feel.
Have you had any interesting experiences sleeping in backpacker hostels? Let us know in the comments.
All so true. I’m travelling around Australia right now, sleeping in 4-8 share dorms and I’ve found earplugs and the mp3 player essential. Somehow I managed to get through 2 months without earplugs but I think I was just tired enough and or lucky enough to get through a night without hear a bear in the room.
Being tolerant is a harder one to manage but it works very well. Think about other things and you’ll fall asleep eventually.
Sleeping masks work quite well too. I haven’t tried one on this trip but I can see where they would come in handy. Some people come crashing in in the middle of the night and turn on the lights and have a half hour conversation. Either that or you’ll have some naked germans running around in your room….
Hi Ross,
Thanks for your comments, some good points. I remember a few people using face masks to sleep, personally I can’t use them but I’m sure they’ll be of a help to many. They also don’t take up much room in the backpack!
Thanks,
Paul @
TravMonkey.com
Thanks for the tips! If people are looking for hostels and budget hotels, check out http://www.ustaycheap.com
Good tips. Especially for those who don’t know what to expect.
Another one that doesn’t get much ear time is bed location and booking ahead.
Know you’re going to have to get up early and really need a good night’s sleep? Don’t book the 32 bed dorm room. I’ve found that I can usually find lower bed rooms for nearly the same price by booking two days ahead.
Also bed location is huge. Don’t pick the bed near the door or the bathroom if there is one. Even if beds are assigned, you can always request a different number. Same applies if there are a wall of lockers in the room.
Earplugs are big and fortunately I never had to use it.
It takes a certain mentality to stay at a hostel, but it’s a great experience and excellent way to save money.
Hi guys,
Thanks for the comments, some great tips there. Especially not booking the 32 bed dorm 😀
Thanks,
Paul @
TravMonkey.com
To parrot Alex, this is definitely a good guide for those not knowing what to expect.
Like with anything, it may hard at first but gets easier with time. It doesn't hurt that traveling wears you out so falling asleep gets that much easier.
Some people have told me they have a hard time sleeping because they get homesick. The mp3 helps with that as well. Closing your eyes and listening to your favorite songs can make you feel much more comfortable.
Cheers Trey thanks for you comments… good points.
Thanks,
Paul @
TravMonkey.com
This is why I don't stay at hostels. I stay at hotels. If I can't afford a hotel, I don't go on the trip.
I can't imagine having a good time in the environment that you describe.
Hi Kyle,
There a many positive things about staying in a hostel, such as the social element you won't find in hotels.
You should try it. You are missing out on a lot of travel.
Thanks,
Paul @
TravMonkey.com
Good tips, especially the ear plugs, to my also the bathroom is pretty important….enjoy all ur travelling!