How to cope with a 24 hour bus journey?

[mnahmnah]

Hi

I am going on a 24 hour bus journey, with a ferry in between, next week. Many years ago I did overnight greyhound buses in Australia and just didn’t sleep! I don’t sleep on planes either.

Any tips on how to cope or how to sleep? I tried sleeping pills on a flight once and it just made me really groggy and didn’t sleep so felt awful. I’m not sure whether to try and get lots of sleep before I go so I don’t feel too terrible on the lack of sleep from the bus. Or whether to sleep little before I go in the hope I am so tired I do sleep on the bus?!

Dreading it really!

I think I would do earphones and really gentle almost dull books or music which you could doze off to. Don't go expecting to sleep and just try and relax.

I take a fleece sleeping bag liner that I can pull up over me. It gives the sensation of being in bedclothes so your brain acknowledges that it is time to sleep.

Promethazine, any antihistamine that promotes drowsiness.

I did Scotland to Spain once on a bus, never again.

Thanks for the suggestions. Managed to find the AirPods I haven’t used since before we moved house! I have a fleecy blanket and will take my own pillow. I think drugs are out as I need to be alert enough to deal with teenagers!

Saw a TikTok where hockey players on tour each bought a dog car cover which acted as a hammock...genius!

amzn.eu/d/3AuIUSj

...

bluetooth headband/sleep mask
a large pashmina/shawl (or microfibre towel) that folds small to use as blanket.

@Fuelledbylatte

Genius! I’m not sure I would ever live that down though…

@bluecomputerscreen

i have a silk sleep mask somewhere that was a gift. Must dig it out! Problem is I have no idea where these things are since moving house

I don't feel great on sleeping tablets, but I find Nytol, over the counter in pharmacies good for helping me slide into sleep, but no groggyness the next day. I

As others have said, some type of a blanket and travel pillow can make a big difference- I find the J shaped pillows and a large but light pashmina type scarf lets me snooze on planes. I can't properly sleep if not lying down, but a few naps makes a real difference, and early nights before and after the trip.

I would recommend some kind of cushion o
for the seat. I have a reasonably well-padded arse, but I found myself very uncomfortable after about 4-5 hours and once I start fidgeting I generally can’t stop.

Cushion to sit on. Pillow. Fleecy blanket.

check!