How a paperclip can ensure a good night’s sleep in a hotel

It can be difficult to get a good night’s sleep while staying in a hotel. The new environment, the noise and the position of the room can all impact your ability to nod off, but one of the main reasons it can be so difficult is because of the amount of light we’re exposed to. 

While many hotels have thick curtains that can be closed off, often they cannot be completely shut, meaning light enters the room at sunrise. 

If you are wanting to get a good night’s rest while on holiday and want to make sure as little sunlight enters the room as possible, then get your paper clip ready, because it might just allow you to get the best holiday sleep you’ve ever had.

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Clips family #paperclips #clips #paperclamps

A post shared by Claudia (@claaudia_dm) on Mar 17, 2016 at 10:53am PDT

All you have to do is reach for your paper clips (the heavy duty clamp variety) and clip them along the two connecting curtains. It sounds so incredibly simple, but it really can make an enormous difference to the light in the room.

According to medical equipment organisation, ResMed, which specialises in treating sleep disorders, darkness is absolutely imperative to a good night’s rest.

“The absence of light sends a critical signal to the body that it is time to rest,” ResMed’s website says. And without the right light exposure, then the wrong messages could be sent to the body about when to sleep and when to stay awake.

They suggest making the bedroom as dark as possible, making the best use of curtains and other window coverings to avoid any light exposure.

“Make sure window coverings are heavy enough to fully block light, and are well fitted to avoid slivers of streetlight or early morning sunlight from filtering in. Even brief exposure to light can interfere with sleep. ”

Here’s how to get a good night’s sleep while on holiday:

• Don’t look at your phone and other devices before going to bed. You’ll trick the body to think that it’s day time and won’t be able to get to sleep.
• Block out the noise as much as possible. Wear earplugs if you have to.
• Bring some creature comforts from home. That way you feel at ease at your home away from home.
• Pack your handy paperclips to close off your curtains and keep the sunlight out.

How do you make sure you get a good night’s sleep while on holiday? Let us know in the comments section.