Just Back From Your Easter Getaway? Here’s Why You Might Still Feel Exhausted April 22, 2025 Whether it was a beach escape, a road trip to visit family, or a long-haul flight, the Easter break should leave you feeling recharged. But if you’ve come back feeling more tired than refreshed, you’re not alone. Even short trips can disrupt your sleep schedule—and longer journeys might come with a bigger sleep price tag. Let’s break down what could be going on and how to reset. Jet Lag Isn’t Just “Feeling Tired” If your Easter trip involved crossing three or more time zones, you may be feeling the effects of jet lag. Jet lag is a temporary sleep disorder caused when your body’s internal clock (circadian rhythm) is still stuck in your home time zone.1 When thrown off, it can affect everything from how alert you feel to how well your body fights off illness. Symptoms of jet lag: Trouble falling or staying asleep Daytime drowsiness and brain fog Poor concentration Digestive issues Lowered immune function General fatigue or malaise Jet lag typically lasts a few days, but for some, it can linger for weeks. It usually takes about one full day per time zone crossed to fully adjust.1 Traveling east is harder for about 75% of people, while a quarter find westbound travel more disruptive.1 Travel Fatigue Is Real—Even Without Jet Lag You don’t need to cross time zones to feel drained after a trip. Travel fatigue can cause exhaustion, headaches, and sleep loss—even after short journeys.1 It’s triggered by travel stress, poor sleep in transit, long travel days, dehydration, disrupted routines, and prolonged sitting.1 All of this can build over time, especially if you're managing kids, experiencing high stress or catching broken sleep across several nights. Trouble Sleeping in New Places? Even without jet lag, your brain may have trouble relaxing in an unfamiliar environment—a phenomenon called the “first night effect.”1 It’s your brain staying alert in new surroundings. Add noise, light, or an uncomfortable mattress, and sleep can suffer even more. When families travel and stay together in confined spaces—like tents, caravans, or hotel rooms—even one snorer in the group can be enough to disturb everyone’s rest. And if their breathing pauses during sleep, it could be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea, a common sleep disorder often marked by loud snoring, gasping or choking during the night, and persistent daytime fatigue. Left untreated, sleep apnea can increase your risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. The good news is, it can be easily diagnosed and treated using CPAP therapy. If you’re concerned about sleep apnea, talk to your doctor or give us a call on 1300 76 29 39 to speak with one of our clinicians today. Tips to Get Back on Track Stick to a regular sleep-wake schedule. Consistency reinforces your natural circadian rhythm, making it easier to fall asleep and wake up feeling refreshed. Get sunlight in the morning to reset your clock. Natural light is a powerful cue for your body’s internal clock. Avoid naps longer than 30 minutes. Short power naps can be helpful, but anything longer can throw off your nighttime sleep. Limit alcohol and caffeine. Caffeine can make it harder to fall asleep if consumed too late in the day, while alcohol can disrupt the quality of your sleep later in the night. Create a calming wind-down routine. This might include a warm shower, reading, light stretching, or using calming scents like lavender. Stay hydrated and eat light, nourishing meals. Dehydration and heavy meals late in the day can interfere with your sleep quality. Whether you travelled across the world or just out of town, disrupted sleep doesn’t have to linger. With a little care, you’ll be back in rhythm soon. How Sove CPAP Clinic Can Help Founded in 2008, Sove CPAP Clinic has grown to become a leading provider of respiratory and sleep services and products in Australia, with over 60 clinics nationwide. Our comprehensive clinical team includes Respiratory & Sleep Specialists, Sleep Technologists, and CPAP Consultants, ensuring that you receive comprehensive and personalised care. All medical procedures, including sleep studies and lung function testing, are bulk billed to all Australians, with minimal wait time. If you would like to speak to a Respiratory & Sleep Physician, book a bulk-billed sleep study, or seek advice for your sleep apnea, you can reach us at 1300 76 29 39 or info@thecpapclinic.com.au. ALWAYS FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. CPAP is used for Obstructive Sleep Apnea treatment. When considering whether a sleep study or CPAP is right for you, speak to your doctor. Medicare criteria and T&C’s apply. Citations 1. “Travel & Sleep: Potential Sleep Disruptions & Tips.” Sleep Foundation, 3 Dec. 2020, www.sleepfoundation.org/travel-and-sleep.
