How to Get a Good Night’s Sleep After Moving to a New Home

I’m Exhausted! Why Can’t I Sleep After My Move to a New Home?

You’d think that all the hard work involved in moving would make it easy to fall asleep in your new home, but that’s not necessarily the case. Sleep researchers study the factors that impact how easily people fall asleep, and how restful that sleep is. It’s a well-known phenomenon that the first night in any new location – whether that’s a sleep study, a hotel room, or your new home – can make sleeping tough. Researchers call this the ‘first night effect’.

Don’t Blame Your New Place, Blame Your Brain

When you’re in a new place, your brain goes into a mode called hyper-vigilance. This means that even when your eyes are closed, your brain is working hard. A new home means there’s new sounds, smells, and sensations to understand and account for. It’s a survival mechanism hardwired into our beings from the good old days when a strange noise in the night could mean a wild animal wants to have a midnight snack.

What Helps the Hypervigilant Brain Relax

Once you’re comfortable in a new location, your brain doesn’t need to be hyper-vigilant anymore. That means you’ll be able to fall asleep faster and stay asleep for a longer, more restful period of time. There are two factors that help your hyper-vigilant brain relax: time and familiarity.

There’s not much you can do to make time go by faster. However, you can take steps to make your new home seem familiar faster.

Use Bed Linens You’re Used To

While it’s tempting to start life in a new home with new bed linens, rely on your familiar favorites for just a little longer. Because you’re used to the way these sheets, blankets, and pillows smell and feel, it will be easier to fall and stay asleep.

 

The Sweet Sound of Silence

The new strange sounds that are keeping you up at night will soon be background noise your brain has learned it can safely tune out. Until then, a white noise machine can muffle distracting noises and make sleeping easier.

Embrace Aromatherapy

Scent is one of the strongest mood triggers. You can create a sense of safety and comfort by using the same scents in your new bedroom as you did in your old one. Using air freshening sprays, an essential oil diffuser, incense or scented candles in recognizable aromas helps your brain relax – and when your brain relaxes, you’ll sleep better.

Get Back into Your Routine

You’ve likely strayed from your daily routine during the move, leaving you feeling unsettled. This can make it more difficult to fall asleep. Try to get back to your normal routine as soon as you can. Get to bed on time and at the same time every night. Wake up at a set time each day. During the day, eat meals regularly and at set times. This will help your body know when it’s time to sleep and when it’s time to be awake.

Wind Down Before Bed

Try relaxing activities before bed to help your mind and body calm down and get ready for sleep. Take a hot bath or shower then settle down with a book to read. Avoid screens. If you need to calm your mind, do some yoga, stretching, and/or breathing exercises to help you relax.

When You Use New York Movers Shleppers, You’ll Sleep Soundly

It can be hard to place your trust in a moving company. You want your belongings to make it safely to your new home. With Shleppers, you can sleep more soundly knowing your items are in good hands, because we treat your things like they’re our own. Call us today at 800-847-4537 or fill out a free no-obligation quote.