When you’re staying in a hotel or motel, there’s one simple tip that can make a big difference in your comfort and safety: always leave the bathroom light on. This piece of advice might sound basic, but it’s something seasoned travelers swear by, especially those who spend a lot of nights in unfamiliar places. People like flight attendants and pilots, who are constantly on the move, have shared plenty of travel hacks to make life easier, and this is one of the most practical. Take Ron Wagner, a veteran pilot who’s logged countless nights in hotel rooms around the world. On Quora, he shared one of his go-to tricks to help prevent what he calls “sleep disorientation,” something that frequent travelers know all too well.
Sleep disorientation happens when you wake up in an unfamiliar place and momentarily can’t figure out where you are. Wagner explained how confusing and even frightening this feeling can be. Imagine waking up in the middle of the night, surrounded by pitch-black darkness, with no clue where the walls are, where the door is, or even what city you’re in. He described lying in bed, eyes wide open, straining to find some kind of visual clue to reorient himself. But in total darkness, there’s nothing to go on. That’s why he developed the habit of leaving the bathroom light on, with the door cracked open just a little. That faint strip of light is enough to help your brain register where you are. Wagner says it doesn’t even have to be the bathroom light—any soft light will do as long as it provides a small, consistent glow.
Wagner’s simple solution helps travelers avoid confusion or panic in the middle of the night. Even if your hotel curtains don’t completely block outside light, you might not need to do anything extra. But if you find yourself in one of those rooms that’s completely dark once the lights are out, leaving the bathroom light on is a smart move. Wagner explained that having a little light can provide your brain with just enough reference points to avoid that sudden, unsettling feeling of being lost in your own room. And while it might seem like a small thing, it can make a big difference in your quality of sleep and your sense of security while traveling.
The concept of sleep disorientation isn’t officially recognized as a medical term, but it’s very similar to what health professionals call “confusional arousal.” According to Very Well Health, confusional arousal often occurs during the transition from deep sleep to waking. It can affect both adults and children and is thought to happen because different parts of the brain wake up at different times.
During these episodes, people might be confused, aggressive, or unresponsive, with slurred speech or blank stares. Luckily, these moments usually only last a few minutes, but they can be disorienting and uncomfortable—especially when you’re alone in a hotel room in a strange city.
Wagner’s travel hack is just one of many shared by experienced travelers who spend much of their lives on the road. Platforms like Quora are full of useful tips from pilots, flight attendants, and frequent flyers. While not every piece of advice you find online is reliable, Wagner’s firsthand experience makes his suggestions worth trying. And his isn’t the only useful travel advice out there. Other tips include keeping valuables with you instead of checking them in luggage, setting aside extra cash in case of emergencies, and packing a power strip to ensure you can charge your devices when outlets are scarce. Writing down important addresses and phone numbers is another smart move—sometimes you won’t have access to your phone, Wi-Fi, or data when you need it most. Flight attendants often recommend packing light and using techniques like the military “fold and roll” method to maximize suitcase space.
At the end of the day, travel can be unpredictable. Flights get delayed, hotels overbook, and plans change at the last minute. But taking a few simple precautions—like leaving the bathroom light on at night—can make your experience a little smoother and help you feel more comfortable and in control, no matter where you find yourself.
