Recently, Arizona, the mountain bikes and I went away for a few days, to a ski resort that opens up for the summer to bikers who want to ride the lifts up and the trails down. The lazy way to do it? Maybe. But fun ;)
Now, I don't know about you, but I don't sleep that well in hotels, especially the first night I'm there. I've tried all the tricks I know to combat this over the years- taking melotonin or Z-Quil, closing the curtains, opening the curtains, bringing a tiny travel-size white noise maker, having a glass of wine, not drinking any caffeine the day before ... it doesn't seem to matter. If I get a couple of hours of real sleep that first night, I'm lucky.
This time, though, I knew I wanted to get some sleep, but couldn't have the morning-after groggy-hangover of having taken meds. So I did it. I gave in and did something I've been fighting for years, associating it with being old, inflexible, and no longer able to throw a sleeping bag on the ground and call it home. [Or perhaps admitting that I'm old, inflexible, and no longer able to throw a sleeping bag on the ground and call it home. Sigh.]
I brought my pillow and my blankie with me.
I did. I admit it. Here's Arizona, who can sleep anywhere, anytime, for longer than seems like it should be humanly possible. And here's me, with my pillow and blankie, like Linus from the Peanuts. And you know what? It helped. Not in an instant-fix sort of way, putting me deeply asleep the moment my head hit that familiar memory-foam goodness in its dark blue pillow case, but better than usual the first night, and each night after.
So I'd say I'm a convert, at least when we're driving places and have the extra room. Flying? Well, we'll see about that. I'm not sure I'm ready to schlep through the airport carrying my pillow and blankie quite yet. Unless ... what do you guys say? Can I claim my bedding as the new 'in' accessory? Should I get over myself? What's your sleeping-away-from-home confession? A pillow? A blankie? A Teddy bear? Inquiring minds want to know!
Just took a road trip with a new motel every night. I've finally realized I must bring a small stuffed animal or pillow because I'm a side sleeper and if I don't put one under my lower boob, I lose circulation in my arm. I packed my PJs and stuffed seal in a small Eagle Creek "spacebag" and had them both handy at bedtime.
ReplyDeleteMeds wise, so many things aggravate my restless legs that I also have to travel with Tonic Water. The quinine is a sufficient muscle relaxant they if I have the jimmy leg or just tossing and turning restlessness, I can drink a few ounces of tonic and nod right off. Especially helps counteract residual caffeine.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly, I found my first ever bottle of tonic without HFCS at a wacky health food grocery in Shasta. Q-tonic is the name.
I like my teddy bear. I don't bring him with me much any more, but I do carry a miniature in my bag :) When I sleep, I curl up like a little baby, when I am comfortable. Otherwise, I sleep like a soldier...you know how it is :)
ReplyDeletePeace and love,
Paula R.