Expert Reveals Michigander’s Biggest Worry On Vacation

As I started writing this article, I stifled a rather massive yawn. The type of yawn where your eyes start watering and all the sound around you seems to fade away. It's probably because I did not get enough sleep last night.

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It was one of those nights where no matter how much you toss and turn and try flipping to the cold side of your pillow, you just can't get comfortable. Thankfully that only happens here and there, but there is one time I know for a fact I never get good sleep:

The first night of vacation.

Counting Sheep

Whether it's sleeping in a tent after going up North or flying across the country and staying in a hotel, you always run the risk of a restless first night.

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A recent study by Mattress Next Day has found that many Michigan travelers suffer from what they define as the "first night effect", the idea that people struggle to sleep the first night of vacation due to being in an unfamiliar area. The study shows that Michigan ranks 6th in sleep-related stress on vacations.

Sleep expert Martin Seeley explains that this struggle with sleep is caused by the brain being in "protector mode", the brain's natural fight or flight instinct that only allows you to relax when it is positive the area you're in is safe.