Voyageuse dans un avion vers l'Europe du Sud tenant un masque de sommeil, à la recherche de confort et de repos pendant le voyage.

When holidays shake up our routines: finding a little comfort away from home

It's 18°C in Stockholm. A few hours later, the thermometer reads 37°C in Malaga.

This scene repeats every summer across Europe. In Sweden, some head to their sommarstuga by a lake, while others fly to Majorca, Tuscany, or the Spanish coast. Belgians travel through France to Brittany, the Basque Country, or Italian hill towns. Germans and Austrians drive to Croatia, the Italian lakes, or the Alps, seeking both beautiful landscapes and a gentle pace of life.

These trips are often anticipated for months. We plan our itineraries, choose our accommodations, already imagining morning markets, long summer evenings, and strolls in the shade of plane trees. Yet, we rarely think about another form of preparation: that of our body.

Because going on vacation doesn't just mean changing locations. It also means moving from one climate to another, adapting to new light, different humidity, sometimes warmer nights, and a new pace of life. In just a few hours, we leave a familiar environment for another, sometimes radically different. Even when this change is chosen and desired, our body needs a little time to adapt.

Perhaps this is why some people feel more tired at the start of their vacation than they did before leaving. And this is also what makes those small comfort items we choose to bring with us, wherever summer takes us, so valuable.

Highly anticipated vacations... but sometimes tiring at first

This feeling is often surprising. We dreamed of rest, long summer evenings, and walks in the sun. Yet, the first few days can sometimes come with unusual fatigue, lighter sleep, or a feeling of being a bit "off."

This reaction is completely normal. The body loves routine. It gradually adapts to our schedules, our environment, the temperature of our home, the light entering our bedroom, or even the familiar sounds of our daily life.

When everything changes at once, it sometimes takes a few days for it to regain its balance.

This adaptation varies from person to person. Some seem to go through these changes with disconcerting ease. Others feel the effects of heat more, sleep less soundly, or need a slower pace during the first few days.

We even dedicated an entire article to this topic: Some people suffer more from heat: how to explain it?

Age, sleep, fatigue levels, or simply our personal sensitivity influence how we experience these transitions.

Heat, humidity: when the climate changes abruptly

Not so long ago, a European summer evoked relatively moderate temperatures in many regions.

Today, the situation is changing. Episodes of intense heat are becoming more frequent and severe in several European countries. It is no longer uncommon to go from a temperate climate to temperatures well over 35°C in just a few hours.

For the body, this transition represents a real effort of adaptation. Blood circulation changes, perspiration increases, sleep sometimes becomes lighter, and fatigue can appear more quickly.

But temperature isn't everything; humidity also plays an important role. A hot and dry climate will not be experienced in the same way as humid heat by the sea or in certain Mediterranean cities where the air sometimes feels heavier.

Some people also find it difficult to cope with the contrasts between the outdoors and heavily air-conditioned places: airports, cars, shopping malls, or hotel rooms.

These repeated changes require the body to constantly adjust, and that can be truly exhausting.

Those first nights of vacation that are unlike any other

Many travelers know this sensation without always being able to explain it. After weeks of anticipation, you finally arrive at your destination. The place is pleasant, the journey went well, you're happy to be there... yet, the first night isn't always as restful as you imagined.

Some people take longer to fall asleep. Others wake up several times during the night or feel like they've slept more lightly. Heat can sometimes play a role, as can the morning light, which is particularly strong in some parts of Europe during the summer. But these elements are not the only ones involved.

Researchers have studied this phenomenon and observed that part of the brain remains more vigilant during the first night spent in an unfamiliar environment. This mechanism, often referred to as the first-night effect, is believed to be an ancient form of protection system. Even when we feel relaxed and secure, our brain seems to discreetly continue analyzing this new environment before fully surrendering to it.

This increased vigilance is temporary and usually disappears after one or two nights. However, it reminds us of something essential: sleep does not depend solely on our fatigue. It is also deeply linked to our habits, our landmarks, and the sense of security that a familiar place provides.

Perhaps this is why some people appreciate finding, even far from home, a few objects or habits that bring them a sense of continuity: reading a few pages before sleeping, listening to the same soothing music, or simply finding a familiar sleep mask that helps recreate a bit of darkness in a new environment.

When comfort becomes a matter of details

It's quite astonishing how we only notice certain things when they're gone.

At home, we hardly think about the darkness of our bedroom, the softness of a sheet, or that cap we instinctively grab before going out. These small elements are so much a part of everyday life that they almost go unnoticed.

When traveling, it's often different.

A hotel room might be brighter than expected. The shutters let in the first rays of sun. The air feels heavier, drier, or conversely, more humid than at home. Even the clothes we usually wear can seem less pleasant when the heat becomes intense or when we spend long hours outside walking, visiting, or simply enjoying the summer.

Comfort then ceases to be an abstract notion. It becomes very concrete. We appreciate a light fabric that allows air to circulate, a cap that creates a pleasant shaded area during a walk, or a sleep mask that helps regain some darkness after a long journey.

Materials also play a more significant role than we often imagine. Light cotton, cotton gauze, or certain breathable fabrics are particularly appreciated during the summer, because they naturally accommodate temperature variations and daily activities. We explore the characteristics of these fabrics in more detail in our article Which materials to choose when it's very hot?

Ultimately, comfort is rarely spectacular. It doesn't come from an extraordinary object or a miracle solution. Rather, it is built through a multitude of discreet details that, combined, allow us to feel good in a new place and enjoy the journey more.

Chambre de vacances au Lac de Garde avec masque de sommeil, valise entrouverte et vue sur le lac lors d'un premier matin d'été en Italie.

Those small familiar items we take everywhere

There's something quite touching about the way we pack our suitcases.

We sometimes imagine that we only pack the essentials: a few clothes, comfortable shoes, a book for the beach or the train. Yet, on closer inspection, we often slip objects into our luggage whose presence far exceeds their primary utility.

A cap worn for several summers. A sleep mask that we always take, even if we're not sure we'll use it. A light scarf or that pair of glasses we prefer over all others.

These objects are not essential. They don't prevent travel fatigue, hot nights, or climate changes. But they accompany us because they are associated with something deeper: a comforting habit, a familiar feeling, or simply the pleasure of finding a little bit of ourselves in a new environment.

Psychologists sometimes speak of transitional objects to describe these elements that create continuity between different living spaces or different periods of our existence. Without going that far, it is likely that many of us unconsciously seek these small landmarks when we leave our daily routine.

They remind us that traveling doesn't mean completely abandoning our habits. On the contrary, a few familiar gestures are sometimes enough to make transitions smoother: finding a little darkness in an unfamiliar room, creating a pleasant shaded area during a walk in the sun, or simply wearing an accessory that makes us feel good.

This is undoubtedly why some people attach so much importance to simple, easy-to-carry accessories. A sleep mask discreetly accompanies plane journeys as well as brighter summer nights. A light cap or a breathable hat can become cherished travel companions when the heat sets in and the days lengthen.

👉 Discover our collection of sleep masks

👉 Explore our caps and sun hats

Traveling without sacrificing your well-being

We often spend a lot of time choosing our destinations. We compare landscapes, look for the most beautiful walks, restaurants to discover, or villages to visit. However, the success of a trip does not depend solely on the place we go. It also depends on how we experience it.

Some people like to follow a busy schedule and discover new places every day. Others need a slower pace, long quiet mornings, or a moment of rest in the shade when the heat becomes too intense. There isn't just one way to travel, just as there isn't just one way to take care of yourself.

Over the years, many of us learn to better understand our needs. We know that we sleep less well when it's too hot, that we appreciate certain lighter materials during the summer, or that a familiar accessory sometimes brings more comfort than we would have imagined. These small adjustments may seem insignificant, but they profoundly influence how we experience vacations.

Because traveling doesn't necessarily mean breaking with all your habits. It's possible to welcome novelty while retaining certain landmarks, to explore unknown landscapes without giving up what makes us feel good, and to bring with us a few comfort items that make transitions smoother.

Ultimately, the most beautiful journeys are perhaps not just those that take us far away. They are also those that allow us to feel good wherever we are, with simplicity, curiosity, and a little bit of that familiar comfort we chose to bring with us.

Perhaps this is, after all, the art of European travel: discovering other landscapes without completely abandoning one's habits, savoring the light of an Italian evening, the Breton wind, or the gentleness of a Swedish summer while keeping close at hand a few small landmarks that make every place a little more familiar.