The Z Factor

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leep. You gotta have it! In fact, lack of zzzzz’s can ultimately kill you. And yes…I know the article is from the alarmist New York Post but it’s based on real medical research.

Travel Tip: Do NOT let travel get in the way of quality sleep. Plan for snoozing the way you plan for other activities.

Splurge on a Good Night’s Sleep!

I just spent two days in the Washington, DC area.  On the first night I decided to bargain-shop and take advantage of my Hiltons Honors status. (Like our guest editor Mike (the man o’ miles), I’m a bit of a points hoarder). My sleep was HORRIBLE. The ancient air conditioner gasped and wheezed all night long and the bed was a mushy mess.

Sweet dreams. I made a last-minute decision to stay in the area a second night. I have both Booking.com and Hotel Tonight on my phone, so finding a range an options was super-simple. I also discovered that Avis makes switching car drop-off locations way easier than Hertz.  (An upcoming post is going to deal exclusively with “switching it up” and making spontaneous Bleisure Living changes.)

In any event, the Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square provided an awesome 8 hours of blissful slumber! Why?

1. Soundproof rooms and windows. Although the hotel is not brand-new, they invested in quiet.
2. Amazing mattress, pillows, and bedding. No scratchy sheets or lumpy, flat pillows.
3. A knock-free zone. One of the most annoying things when you’re staying in a hotel and trying to sleep a little later is the “housekeeper knock” long before check-out time. Although I know I should always put the “do not disturb” thingy out at the end of a long day, I sometimes forget. I respect hotels that create a “no-knock before noon” policy. 
4. Hydration. Having a bottle of water at bedside is important to me. Getting one for free is even more blissful.
5. A convenient reading lamp. I’ve been trying to avoid the dreaded “blue light” syndrome and I’ve been reading (as in a paper book) right before sleep these days. When I’m ready to snooze, having my off switch within range means I can roll over and crash that much sooner.

So, when you’re planning your next trip — business, leisure, or both — pay close attention to the place where you’ll lay your head. A fitful sleep give you nightmares (literally and metaphorically). Awakening refreshed and energized can make all the difference in your mood the next day!

Sweet Dreams!: Here are 37 more great tips for better slumber.

 

 

 

 

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