Even in the comfiest of beds, the first night somewhere new often leaves us tossing and turning. But why is this and what can we do to fix it?
Whether you’re staying at a friend’s house, checking into a hotel, or spending your first night in a new apartment, you’re likely to experience the same thing. An awful night’s sleep. This phenomenon, known as the First Night Effect, is something scientists have been aware of for over 60 years. It’s so well known that when conducting a sleep study, data from the first night is often excluded from the final analysis.
FNE is characterised by disturbed sleep quality during the first night in a new and unfamiliar environment. Dr. Anna Wick, a researcher in Cognitive Psychology at the University of Fribourg, says that people tend to have more difficulty falling asleep, wake more frequently during the night, and take longer to reach REM sleep. “This is accompanied by shorter total sleep duration, lower sleep efficiency, and an increase in the shallower non-rapid eye movement sleep, in comparison to the second night.” she says.
There are several theories about why we experience FNE. External factors, such as unfamiliar surroundings, and internal psychological factors, such as stress, all influence sleep quality. Some researchers argue that FNE is a form of ‘nightwatch’ behaviour for detecting threats. An ‘interesting’ theory which Dr. Wick believes makes ‘evolutionary sense’. An interesting explanation suggests that during the first night of sleep, the left side of the brain is significantly less asleep than the right. This kind of hemispherical asymmetry is also present in other animals, including marine mammals, and allows part of the brain to remain vigilant.
Although not as intrusive as other sleep disorders, a disturbance in your sleep pattern can make the next day a struggle. When travelling, “try to always stay at the same hotel during your trips, as we have found that FNE was no longer detectable one week later”, says Dr. Wick. Other tips include avoiding any stimulants like caffeine or intense exercise close to your bedtime. Ultimately, ‘sticking closely as possible to your sleep routine’ is the best way to reduce the First Night Effect. You don’t need to bring your whole bedding, but packing a pillow or some products that are part of your nighttime routine can help. Luckily, the First Night Effect is only temporary, so once you’re through the first day, your sleep patterns should quickly return to normal.
