{"id":4034,"date":"2026-08-22T18:03:45","date_gmt":"2026-08-22T18:03:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coloradospringsmoverss.com\/?p=4034"},"modified":"2026-08-22T18:03:45","modified_gmt":"2026-08-22T18:03:45","slug":"have-trouble-sleeping-in-a-new-place-most-do-because-of-the-first-night-effect","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coloradospringsmoverss.com\/?p=4034","title":{"rendered":"Have trouble sleeping in a new place? Most do because of the first-night effect"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Getting your Trinity Audio player ready…<\/strong><\/div>\n
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By ALBERT STUMM<\/strong><\/p>\n

The first night in a new place is always the same for Robinson Leoni: He takes longer to fall asleep, wakes up more often during the night and gets less sleep overall.<\/p>\n

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At home he averages seven hours. The first night away \u2014 with or without earplugs and regardless of the bed\u2019s quality \u2014 his smartwatch tells him he gets about five.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel normal, you know, no stress, nothing, but it\u2019s just I notice I wake up continuously,\u201d said Leoni, a sales director for a tech company who travels once or twice a month for work.<\/p>\n

He is a victim of what sleep specialists call the first-night effect. The phenomenon has been confirmed by dozens of studies and is believed to have evolutionary roots, said Anna Wick, a senior sleep researcher at the University of Freiburg in Switzerland.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s assumed to be an adaptation response that the sleeping brain remains vigilant in this unfamiliar environment,\u201d Wick said.<\/p>\n

You stay alert while sleeping<\/h4>\n

Ahmad Mayeli, a psychiatry professor and sleep researcher at the University of Pittsburgh, said most people experience it, and even those who may not notice it probably do on a small level. On average, people sleep about 20 to 30 minutes less in a new environment.<\/p>\n

His research found that the frontal lobe, an area associated with the deepest stage of sleep, was more active, indicating a sense of alertness. In other words, not only do people sleep less, but also less deeply.<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

\u201cThey are saying that, like in dolphins, part of the brain is awake when you are sleeping,\u201d Mayeli said. \u201cIt\u2019s not exactly like dolphins, but still, studies show part of the brain is sleeping less.\u201d<\/p>\n

He noted that age makes a difference. The effect is more pronounced in children, adolescents and older adults, and it typically worsens with age. Those in their 20s are the least affected.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe it\u2019s the sweet spot,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Anxiety can play a part<\/h4>\n

Mayeli suspects that the brain may be wired to be wary of new places because, historically, they were the most dangerous to rest.<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter if it\u2019s a Marriott hotel or it\u2019s the savannah,\u201d he said. \u201cYour brain hasn\u2019t gotten the memo that this place is completely safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wick said evidence suggests the effect fades after the first night.<\/p>\n

Lisa Strauss, a psychologist specializing in cognitive behavioral treatment of sleep disorders, said several factors can impact sleep in a new place beyond evolutionary vigilance.<\/p>\n

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Travel itself can have a negative effect, even within the same time zone. Environmental factors may get in the way, like a flashing smoke alarm light in a hotel room. Relational tension, perhaps while visiting family members you\u2019re not close with, could also contribute.<\/p>\n

Strauss noted that some people may sleep better the first night if they\u2019re tired after a long day of travel or if the location provides a sense of disconnection from daily stressors. And people who have trouble sleeping at home might fare better because they don\u2019t associate the new place with a history of difficulty sleeping.<\/p>\n

While anyone can experience the first-night effect, Strauss said those who are more anxious at baseline are especially vulnerable. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy \u2014 the worry about whether they can sleep is what keeps them awake.<\/p>\n

Leoni acknowledged there are times he goes into the first night thinking about how he\u2019ll sleep.<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes the thoughts come automatically,\u201d he said. \u201cYou talk with your colleague, and you say, \u2018I\u2019m going back to the room, but I\u2019m not going to sleep anyway.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

How to sleep better on the first night<\/h4>\n

Strauss recommends general sleep hygiene practices such as going to sleep in a cool, dark room at the same time every night, following a nighttime routine and turning off screens well before going to bed. Those are especially helpful if you start (or restart) doing them in the days or weeks before an important trip.<\/p>\n

She suggested people try to make the environment their own by spending a little extra time in the new bed. They could read or do another peaceful, familiar activity to make the experience less novel. They could also bring familiar objects, like a favorite pillow or blanket.<\/p>\n

For someone who is particularly anxious, Strauss recommended they visualize themselves in a safe, familiar environment out in nature, such as on a favorite hike or beach. They should notice the anxiety they\u2019re feeling, then repeat positive phrases to help lower feelings of hypervigilance. Her suggestion: \u201cMay you know that you are safe. May you know that you are loved. May you be at peace.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mayeli said the first-night effect is not really anything to worry about, and people can easily make up for missing an hour or two of sleep for one night. But he recommends arriving a day early to acclimate if you have an important meeting or event.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf tomorrow matters, get there a night early,\u201d he said, \u201cso you\u2019ll sleep like yourself when it counts.\u201d<\/p>\n

Albert Stumm writes about wellness, food and travel. Find his work at https:\/\/www.albertstumm.com<\/em><\/p>\n

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