Travel hacks can make any journey smoother, especially for frequent travelers, whether for work or leisure. Fortunately, many flight attendants and pilots, who spend a significant amount of time in the air and in hotels, share their tips on social media to help others. One pilot, for example, recently revealed a simple but effective sleep hack to help combat sleep disorientation.
Travel Hack from a Pilot
Pilot Ron Wagner shared a helpful tip on Quora for those who struggle with sleep disorientation. This issue is common for people who travel often or sleep in unfamiliar places, leading them to wake up confused and unsure of where they are. Wagner offered his solution for overcoming this disorientation.
The Hack to Prevent Confusion
Wagner’s travel hack is straightforward: when staying in hotels or unfamiliar places, leave the bathroom light on. Having a small light source helps you acclimate to your surroundings and reduces the chances of feeling disoriented or panicked when you wake up in the dark.
The Pilot’s Experience
Wagner explained the situation that led him to discover this helpful tip: “The room was totally pitch black, and I needed to pee. I lay there with my eyes wide open, trying to find some visual clue. Nothing. It was total blackness,” he recalled. “Not only could I not remember the city, but I didn’t even know how to get up. Where was the wall? Where was the lamp? Which way to the bathroom?”
He then continued: “The hack is to turn on the bathroom light and leave the door cracked just a tiny bit. The light coming through that crack will give you your bearings.” Wagner emphasized that any light source will work, not just the bathroom light.
An Alternative Tip
Wagner also offered an alternative for those who have trouble blocking out light. If your curtains don’t fully block the light, you can leave a sliver of light coming from somewhere else. He added, “Even then, I still occasionally woke up not knowing which city I was in, but just a few orienting clues in the light were all I needed to recall.”
Sleep Disorientation Explained
Although “sleep disorientation” isn’t an official medical term, it’s closely related to a condition called confusional arousal. According to Very Well Health, around 20% of both adults and children experience this phenomenon, which occurs when the brain’s regions fail to communicate fully during the transition from deep sleep to waking. As a result, some parts of the brain stay asleep while others awaken.
Recognizing Sleep Disorientation
Symptoms of confusional arousal can include:
- Confusion or disorientation
- Aggression
- Staring blankly, often without speaking
- Speaking in a confused or slurred manner
Although these episodes can be alarming, they usually last only about 10 minutes.
A Forum for Information
Wagner shared this travel tip on Quora, a platform designed for users to “gain and share knowledge.” While Quora’s reliability can vary, Wagner’s professional experience as a pilot adds credibility to his advice. In fact, he’s not the only airline worker offering valuable travel tips. Many others share advice on making flights more enjoyable, preparing for unexpected changes, and packing more efficiently.
More Travel Tips to Reduce Stress
Here are additional travel hacks to help make your journey easier:
- Keep Valuables in Your Carry-On
Never put anything irreplaceable, like your passport or important documents, in your checked luggage. This ensures that your valuable items are always within reach. - Have a Financial Cushion
Travel plans often change unexpectedly, so it’s a good idea to set aside a few hundred dollars for emergencies, such as last-minute hotel bookings or delayed flights. - Bring a Power Strip
If you find yourself in an airport with limited charging outlets, carrying a travel power strip can be a lifesaver. You can even ask fellow travelers to share the power strip, ensuring you have enough outlets to charge your devices. - Write It Down
Always write down important addresses or information, such as your hotel or sightseeing locations. This way, you can easily provide the details to your driver or GPS, and you won’t have to rely on having internet access or service. - Packing Tips
Airline attendants often recommend packing light and rolling clothes to save space. A method called “fold and roll” involves folding smaller items like socks and underwear, and then rolling them into larger clothing items, such as pants or sweatshirts. This maximizes space and helps you pack efficiently.
By incorporating these travel hacks, your next trip could be stress-free and more enjoyable!
Lucky Colors for the 12 Zodiac Signs
Each zodiac sign has specific lucky colors that can enhance positive energy, bring good fortune, and boost confidence. Here are the lucky colors for each sign:
♈ Aries (March 21 – April 19)
🔥 Lucky Colors: Red, Orange, Scarlet
🔺 Why? These bold and fiery colors enhance Aries’ passion, confidence, and leadership.
♉ Taurus (April 20 – May 20)
🌿 Lucky Colors: Green, Pink, Earthy Tones
🔺 Why? Green symbolizes growth and stability, while pink brings harmony and love.
♊ Gemini (May 21 – June 20)
💛 Lucky Colors: Yellow, Light Green, White
🔺 Why? These colors boost Gemini’s communication skills, creativity, and adaptability.
♋ Cancer (June 21 – July 22)
🌊 Lucky Colors: Silver, White, Light Blue
🔺 Why? These soothing colors reflect Cancer’s emotional depth, intuition, and connection to the moon.
♌ Leo (July 23 – August 22)
☀️ Lucky Colors: Gold, Orange, Yellow
🔺 Why? These royal and radiant colors highlight Leo’s charisma, confidence, and strength.
♍ Virgo (August 23 – September 22)
🌾 Lucky Colors: Green, Brown, Beige
🔺 Why? Earthy and natural tones enhance Virgo’s practicality, wisdom, and sense of order.
♎ Libra (September 23 – October 22)
🎀 Lucky Colors: Pink, Blue, Pastel Shades
🔺 Why? These colors promote Libra’s sense of balance, love, and diplomacy.
♏ Scorpio (October 23 – November 21)
🖤 Lucky Colors: Black, Dark Red, Burgundy
🔺 Why? These deep colors represent Scorpio’s mystery, intensity, and transformation.
♐ Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21)
💜 Lucky Colors: Purple, Royal Blue, Dark Yellow
🔺 Why? These colors enhance Sagittarius’ adventurous, spiritual, and optimistic nature.
♑ Capricorn (December 22 – January 19)
🖤 Lucky Colors: Black, Gray, Dark Green
🔺 Why? These colors reflect Capricorn’s discipline, ambition, and grounded energy.
♒ Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)
🔵 Lucky Colors: Blue, Electric Blue, Silver
🔺 Why? These colors enhance Aquarius’ innovation, originality, and connection to the future.
♓ Pisces (February 19 – March 20)
🌊 Lucky Colors: Sea Green, Lavender, Aqua
🔺 Why? These dreamy colors boost Pisces’ creativity, intuition, and emotional depth.
Using these lucky colors in clothing, accessories, or surroundings can help attract positive energy and success! 😊✨