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.
At home, he averages seven hours.
The first night away – with or without earplugs and regardless of the bed’s quality – his smartwatch tells him he gets about five.
“I feel normal, you know, no stress, nothing, but it’s just I notice I wake up continuously,” said the American tech company sales director who travels once or twice a month for work.
An evolutionary effect
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 University of Freiburg in Switzerland senior sleep researcher Dr Anna Wick.
“It’s assumed to be an adaptation response that the sleeping brain remains vigilant in this unfamiliar environment,” she said.
University of Pittsburgh sleep researcher and psychiatry professor Dr Ahmad Mayeli in the United States said that most people experience it, even those who may not notice it.
On average, people sleep about 20 to 30 minutes less in a new environment.
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.
“They are saying that, like in dolphins, part of the brain is awake when you are sleeping,” Prof Mayeli said.
“It’s not exactly like dolphins, but still, studies show part of the brain is sleeping less.”
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. “Maybe it’s the sweet spot,” he said.
Prof Mayeli suspects that the brain may be wired to be wary of new places because historically, they were the most dangerous in which to rest.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s a Marriott hotel or it’s the savannah,” he said.
“Your brain hasn’t gotten the memo that this place is completely safe.”
Dr Wick said evidence suggests that the effect fades after the first night.
Other factors
Dr Lisa Strauss, a psychologist specialising in cognitive behavioural treatment of sleep disorders in Boston, US, said several factors can impact sleep in a new place beyond evolutionary vigilance.
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’re not close with, could also contribute.
She noted that some people may sleep better the first night if they’re 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’t associate the new place with a history of difficulty sleeping.
While anyone can experience the first-night effect, Dr Strauss said those who are more anxious at baseline are especially vulnerable.
It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy – the worry about whether they can sleep is what keeps them awake.
Leoni acknowledged that there are times he goes into the first night thinking about how he’ll sleep.
“Sometimes, the thoughts come automatically,” he said.
“You talk with your colleague, and you say, ‘I’m going back to the room, but I’m not going to sleep anyway.’”
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Sleep hygiene tips
Dr 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.
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 favourite pillow or blanket.
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For someone who is particularly anxious, Dr Strauss recommended they visualise themselves in a safe, familiar environment out in nature, such as on a favourite hike or beach.
They should notice the anxiety they’re feeling, then repeat positive phrases to help lower feelings of hypervigilance.
Her suggestion: “May you know that you are safe. May you know that you are loved. May you be at peace.”
Prof 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.
“If tomorrow matters, get there a night early,” he said, “so you’ll sleep like yourself when it counts.” – By Albert Stumm/AP
