Many travelers struggle with insomnia or light sleep on their first night in a new place. In the scientific community, this is known as the first-night effect. Researchers explain that this reaction is linked to evolutionary defense mechanisms that helped our ancestors survive in unfamiliar and potentially dangerous environments, reports infohub.kz.
When you change your surroundings, whether it's a hotel or a guesthouse, the left hemisphere of the brain remains more active and sensitive to surrounding sounds and stimuli during deep sleep. The brain essentially operates in a night-watch mode, reacting to any unfamiliar noises to protect the person from potential threats.
To ease adaptation and improve sleep quality while traveling, somnologists recommend recreating a familiar home atmosphere. Familiar scents, your own pillow, a sleep mask, earplugs, or a white noise machine can help, as can sticking to your usual bedtime routine. Scientists note that by the second night, the brain adapts and sleep returns to normal.