Travel expert Darley Newman has been exploring the world for more than a decade and filming most of it for her Emmy-nominated PBS show, ‘Travels with Darley.’ Whether she’s swimming with sharks in Dubai or riding a hot air balloon in Turkiye, you’ll always find her raring to go. Why? Mainly because she sleeps well. Long flights, bumpy road trips, noisy hotels — it’s no sweat, because Darley knows just what to pack so she’s prepared for anything. And after 10 years of traveling the world, so do I. Obviously, we had to compare notes.
Quick Overview
Darley reminded me that getting restful sleep on the road comes down to packing essentials and lifestyle factors. “In the early days of my career, I used to get really stressed if I couldn’t sleep on a flight. I’d mindlessly snack on sugary and salty foods. Predictably, I’d end up dehydrated and even more exhausted,” she remembers. “Now, I focus on staying calm and meditating, while drinking plenty of water and eating healthier snacks. I no longer stress about sleep, so I often end up dozing off naturally.”
So it’s a mix, but what you pack is crucial. Sound sleep means you can “enjoy every minute of your vacation and feel relaxed as you’re on the go,” as Darley puts it. Here’s a peek inside her luggage — and a glimpse at mine — so you can be inspired to literally rest easy on your next trip.
Darley’s picks
Amazon
Darley likes this little spritzer with an essential oil-infused solution for spraying directly onto your bed linens.
Lavender, vetivert and chamomile lull you into dreamland naturally and quickly, helping you combat jetlag and reset your circadian rhythm on day one.
Amazon
With an adorable and cozy pillow-and-blanket set like this, how could you not just sink into a sleepy mush on your next flight or road trip?
It’s easy to see why Darley loves this set in particular, with its extra-large blanket that’s big enough to share with your next-seat neighbor. And that matching carrying case lets this convert into a plush and cozy pillow to help you snooze the day away.
Amazon
Behold this miniature gadget that plays white noise, nature sounds and even a rhythmic heartbeat. Is it designed for a baby’s stroller? Yes. But is it absolutely perfect for packing, at all of six inches long and weighing in at less than eight ounces. Darley loves the entire Hatch line, which includes larger sound machines for adults, kids and babies.
Notice how pretty this device is too. It comes in a handful of soothing color options and features a handy loop that helps you secure it on or in your bags.
Bombas
“These are the best quality compression socks I have used for travel and I love the brand ethos of giving back,” says Darley of this Bombas duo, which includes grippy socks too. “They donate one essential clothing item for every one you purchase to those in need.”
If you’ve ever noticed your ankles and feet are swollen after a flight, that’s from fluids pooling while you’re in one place for a long time. It’s good to get up and walk a bit during your flight if you can. Compression socks are another great way to combat the swelling and prevent discomfort after you land.
My picks
Brodo
I live a pretty active life even when I’m not traveling, and staying hydrated is a constant battle. Dehydration inevitably leads to fatigue and grogginess in the daytime, which throws my entire system out of whack.
Frequent electrolyte imbalances have led me to become a bone broth devotee. It balances your sodium, potassium and magnesium levels when water just won’t cut it.
So you can imagine my delight at discovering these travel-friendly packets. Each contains USDA organic bone broth — this bundle has six different flavors — that you can heat up and drink alone or mix into your meals.
Peace&Quiet
I’ll never forget my month in Bali, mainly because I was having daily panic attacks from the resident roosters and their crack-of-dawn wakeup calls. Not very zen! And then there was my first week in Mexico City, where I became irritable from lack of sleep. Turns out I booked an Airbnb on a main highway…oops!
Both of these crises could have been averted had I done more research before booking. That said, silicone ear plugs worked wonders. I find them to be more soundproof than foam, and they mold comfortably in my ear canals and don’t wake me up or fall out like foam ones do.
OLLY
I started taking L-Theanine, an amino acid that’s naturally present in green tea, to help with my sleep when I first started traveling again after Covid. And I’ve taken melatonin, a naturally occurring hormone, on and off on my travels over the years.
These gummies contain both natural supplements, plus botanicals like chamomile, passionflower and lemon balm, all known to support restfulness. And they taste like candy.
