Whether you're on a bus during the daytime and trying to squeeze in a quick nap or your trip involves overnight bus travel - sleeping on a bus can be troublesome for many people. Sense of movement, motion sickness, uncomfortable sitting position, and loud noises can be obstacles for you to get your healthy beauty sleep. This can result in a lack of energy the next day, which can ruin all the fun of the trip for you. Still, there are ways to improve the situation. Here are the most important do's and don'ts for sleeping on a bus.
Do’s for Sleeping on a Bus
For most situations, it's better to plan ahead. Here are the best things to do to make sure sleeping on a bus works for you (they all require some prep work):
Bring Accessories with You
So, are you wondering how to sleep comfortably on a bus? The short answer is to bring some useful little things with you. Even though these are completely optional, having them handy can greatly improve your sleep in the limited space of a bus seat. And despite the fact that most modern buses, like our 56-passenger coach bus, are equipped with comfortable reclining seats, you will significantly benefit from taking these accessories:
- Earplugs. Whether it's the fellow passengers who make noise or just the engine of the bus - ear plugs can come in handy for blocking out disturbances while sleeping on a bus.
- Noise-blocking headphones. If earplugs are not your cup of tea, try headphones instead. Put in some noise-canceling headphones, turn on your preferred music, favorite podcast, or some ASMR, settle into a comfortable position, and you're ready.
- Neck pillow (or just a small pillow). Staying for hours in one position, even in the softest of seats, can cause some pain in your back and neck. Having a neck pillow handy helps adjust the position of your spine, so falling asleep in a bus seat is more comfortable, particularly in a window seat.
- Compact blanket. Having the air conditioning of the bus turned on, or even the ventilation hatch open can make the bus pretty cold. You will fall asleep much faster with a blanket, as it will keep you warm and cozy.
- An eye mask. Whether it's the traffic lights passing by or the phone screens of other passengers - lights can ruin your sleep, which is where eye masks come in. Having a good eye mask will ensure a good night's sleep- just make sure it's not too tight.
Stay Hydrated
Don't forget to drink your water! It's incredibly important for your health, and staying hydrated on overnight buses will help you avoid headaches and other pains. Have an extra supply of drinking water with you, just in case. And don't be worried about needing to go to the bathroom too often, as most charter buses nowadays are equipped with comfortable restrooms.
Sit In the Middle of the Bus
If you have the opportunity to choose where to sit on your next long bus trip, try to find a seat towards the middle of the bus.
Back seats tend to make for bumpier rides that could prevent you from getting your beauty sleep, especially if you wake up easily on overnight buses.
On the other hand, seats at the front of the bus are more exposed to the headlights from oncoming drivers, which can be disrupting even with an eye mask on. Besides, if you are naturally anxious, you may be tempted to keep a close eye on your driver’s behavior. Sitting further away on an overnight bus ride can help keep things out of sight and out of mind on a long bus ride.
Have Some Snacks
Even if your bus ride only takes a few hours, you can still get hungry. Of course, you can buy yourself a full meal while at the bus stops, but it would be much better if you bring some snacks with you on board as well.
Choosing the wrong food can ruin your whole trip. Here are the best and the healthiest snacks to bring on your trip:
- Crackers and cookies. This is a universal bus trip snack. Crackers are convenient to eat on the move and keep you full for hours and hours. Cookies are a fun, sweet treat!
- Nuts. Some of them, like almonds and walnuts, can actually make it easier to fall asleep. Make sure to take them out of the shell before the trip, so you don't make a mess.
- Fresh vegetables. Chopped and packed vegetables, such as carrots or broccoli, are convenient to eat and won't spoil fast on an air-conditioned bus.
- Dried fruits. No mess from the juice, only the good taste, and health benefits.
Listen to Podcasts or Music
Make the most of your technology! Put on your headphones, tune it to a relaxing podcast, the radio, or your favorite sleep playlist. It's much easier to fall asleep when there's steady and static background noise in your ears instead of random noises inside or outside the bus. Don't forget to set up a turn-off timer, or you are risking draining your device's battery. And make sure that the music you're listening to is not too loud or exciting, or it will keep you awake instead of helping you sleep on your overnight bus trip.
Have Medications Handy
You never know when something will start to hurt. It can be a headache or stomach pain, or some other discomfort. You should always have pain medication at your fingertips, just as a precaution. It's much more difficult to sleep well on a bus ride while there's something that disturbs you, even if it's just a mild pain or discomfort. In addition, it can be some of the other passengers that may need that helpful pill, so don't be shy to offer your help if you hear someone complain.
Wear Comfortable Clothes
The best way to sleep on a bus is to wear comfortable clothes. Jeans can constrict your blood flow, so wear something looser, like sweatpants or yoga pants, which are perfect for a long, overnight bus ride. Since most of the time you won't have a quick and convenient way to change, it's better to put on your pajama-like outfit in advance rather than bring it with you. Wear multiple layers of clothing to avoid getting cold at night under the cool blow of air conditioning.
Take Your Shoes Off and Pad Your Back
You may not reach the same comfort levels as your bed, but these simple tips can help you find some much-needed ZZZs.
Removing your shoes will alleviate some discomforts and signal your body to relax. Do not hesitate to bring an extra pair of clean, extra cozy socks if you do not feel comfortable taking off your shoes. It will also help your feet stay warm since your body temperature tends to decrease when you sleep.
Even the fluffiest seats can feel hard after a long ride. You can use a small blanket or even an extra sweatshirt as extra padding to make the journey a little cozier.
Consider Going for the First Class
If you have the option, shelling out some extra dollars to upgrade to the first class on an overnight bus is well worth the expense. With amenities such as larger, more reclining seats and even some light refreshments for the ride, you put all the chances on your side for a restful night’s sleep.
Don’ts for Sleeping on the Bus
The secret of how to sleep on a bus lies in restricting certain things. Here are the most important things to avoid to ensure you sleep well on a bus:
Be Careful with Caffeine
A good cup of coffee is a must-have for many of us, but it can be tricky on long bus rides. Having too much of it can harm your sleep schedule and leave you exhausted the following day. If you plan to drink coffee and stay up all night, keep in mind that caffeine is not a replacement for a good sleep, as it is only a temporary energy boost.
Avoid Blue Lights from Displays
It's always good to have your phone around, isn't it? Watching videos, chatting, and playing games is a great way to shorten the time during the ride, especially if you're not feeling like talking at the moment. Keep in mind that the blue lights from the electronics displays can not only disturb your fellow passengers but can also seriously harm your sleeping, so try to minimize it a few hours before falling asleep. In addition, consider turning off your notifications so that you will avoid both the anxiety or excitement from the incoming news, emails, and messages.
Don’t Leave Your Belongings Out There
Always keep your valuable stuff safe and sound! It should always be either locked away in the luggage or hidden in your deepest pockets and at the bottom of your handbag. Even if the passengers you travel with are not strangers, doing this will help you minimize the risk of losing something on the bus. In addition, it's much easier to fall asleep without thoughts and concerns about your valuable belongings in the back of your mind. Reducing the amount of stress to a minimum is one of the key components of having a good sleep and a pleasant bus trip!
Don’t Eat Heavy or Messy Food
Heavy food, such as those with a large amount of fat, dairy products, or sugar, should all be avoided, as well as very hot food and wet foods. You never know when something can go wrong, and it's better to minimize the risks while going for a bus trip. Having stomach pain or indigestion is something that can ruin even the brightest of a day. In addition, don't bring any messy (like donuts or overly-juicy fruits) or smelly (such as spicy food and snacks) food with you onboard: be respectful for other passengers traveling with you.
Most Importantly: Choose Your Transport Wisely
Now for the easiest yet most important step: hire a comfortable bus you can sleep on for your next trip! We at Infinity Transportation are experts in providing group charter bus services in Chicago. By hiring us you can be sure that you get a great sleeping travel bus, and your trip will go as smoothly and pleasantly as possible! Give us a call at any time if you have any questions or if you are ready to book your group travel by charter bus. Take care of your health: travel with the experts!
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