You are on the trip of your lifetime… the vacation of your dreams.
The only thing is, you are exhausted.
Dead tired.
You can barely keep your eyes open to see the Eiffel Tower… the Pyramids… the Grand Canyon.
And you are really cranky.
What gives? Is this jet lag, you ask?
You wish. In fact, you may be the victim of a snoring travel companion.
Sleep deprivation is the worst (which probably explains its historic popularity as a torture method). When you are not rested, it’s hard to enjoy anything, and that day of wondrous exploration you planned suddenly becomes a day of schlepping around, when all you really want to do is go back to the hotel for a nap.
Some spouses simply sleep in separate bedrooms due to snoring issues. And while banishing your resident chainsaw to the Siberia of the guestroom at home works just fine, what do you do when you are traveling and have just one hotel room?
What if you’ve planned a trip with an acquaintance only to discover that he sounds like a freight train in his slumber? Sure you can always smash a pillow over your head (or his, but then again, you’d be guilty of murder)…
Or you can try sleeping in the bathtub, however, it’s not terribly comfortable (I’ve done it)…
Of course, if you know ahead of time that your traveling companion snores, try booking a suite (or adjoining rooms) if you can afford it. If that’s not an option — and with today’s hotel prices, it often is not — check out the following survival tips:
Earplugs. Depending on how loud your roommate snores, these can really do the trick. Of course, if you go this route, be sure to invest in the good ones (if they fall out, what’s the point?). The model that is spongy and conforms to the shape of your ear is a good choice, or you could also try the noise canceling headphones designed for use on airlines.
White noise. That annoying fan in the bathroom can suddenly be a lifesaver if you turn it on before you go to bed. White noise can help drown out undesirable noises, such as snoring. You can also call housekeeping and ask for an old fashioned fan. But since you can’t depend on either of these fans, consider bringing along a portable sleep machine. There are various models available that can fit into your luggage, and you can choose from any number of sounds, from ocean waves to rain. Just place it between you and the snorer and turn it up. You may go deaf, but there is a very good chance you’ll get some shuteye.
Drugs (the legal kind). If you know your partner snores, and you won’t be able to send him/her away, ask your doctor to recommend something mild to help you sleep (obviously, you don’t want to get something that is habit-forming, just a little help for this trip).
Nose strips and nasal spray. Tackle the problem from a different angle and kindly ask the snorer if he/she would be willing to put a Breathe Right nose strip on, or use a moisturizing nose spray (Ocean is a great one) before retiring.
Cut out the nightcap. Not yours, your roommate’s! Studies have shown that heavy drinking (and smoking) before bedtime can cause snoring, so you might try asking your partner (nicely) if he or she would mind cutting out that last glass of Port. Remember, it’s in his or her best interest if you get some sleep, too — you’ll be a lot more fun the next day. Besides, they’ll probably be thrilled not to be woken up ever fifteen minutes with “stop snoring!!”
Get a room. Of course, if money is no object, Do Not Pass Go, just head down to the front desk and demand a separate room. The Mastercard ad for your evening might go like this:
Additional queen room: $349.99
One mini-bar Evian: $8
A good night’s sleep: priceless.
Good night, and good luck…
By Jennifer Evans Gardner for PeterGreenberg.com.
Find more ways to stay healthy on the road: Health & Fitness.
Previously by Jennifer Evans Gardner for PeterGreenberg.com:
