Dream Water put to the test on an overseas flight by a lousy travel sleeper
For me sleeping the night before a big trip is usually out of the question.
By the time I wheel my suitcase into the airport and check-in (and likely check my bag in too), my excitement, without a good night’s sleep behind me, can easily teeter over into anxiety.
As a result, I am no stranger to sleep aids both natural and pharmaceutical.
I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say that for me, taking just a little something can be the key to a trip starting on the right foot and its overall success.
Generally, I take either a sleeping pill or nutritional supplement both the night before a big trip and on any flights to new time zones.
A couple of days ago on a long haul flight from Atlanta to Vienna, I finally had the chance to try Dream Water. I say “finally” because I’d been admiring the downright adorable 2 1/2 ounce bottles I left sitting on my kitchen counter for weeks.
Dream Water’s ingredients include a proprietary blend of natural sleep-enhancing ingredients including melatonin, GABA and 5-HTP. I have taken all three in the past.
Melatonin, in particular, has been my husband’s and my supplement of choice for long-haul flights. For many people, taken in the right dose, the hormone melatonin resets your internal sleep clock. It is produced naturally by our bodies, but as with many hormones, its supply diminishes as we age.
The night before leaving I took a tried and true, low dose of Ambien. I didn’t want to risk Dream Water not working, as I needed to get up and drive 5 hours to the Atlanta airport and my overnight flight wouldn’t leave until 10:20 pm. I get excited the night before flying home too, and on the way home next week, I’ll likely forgo the Ambien in favor of the Dream Water.
I drank up my Lullaby Lemon flavored “shot” soon after take-off. I figured if it didn’t induce the desired and elusive rest and relaxation travelers often find it hard to come by, I would take one of the melatonin pills stashed in my bag. Sweetened with the natural ingredient, Stevia, the taste was neither bad nor particularly delicious.
This seemed appropriate for a bottle of liquid that was called a “shot” on the packaging. Dream Water’s mild palatability, only seems responsible for something that is not a delicious cocktail, but a real and potentially potent nutritional supplement that is available over the counter.
The early effect was subtle. I was both relaxed and able to enjoy the first couple of hours of the flight, which included dinner service and reading up on Vienna.
Given that it was a true overnight flight, I eventually was able to sleep for a couple of hours before landing in Amsterdam. But I know myself well enough to get that those couple of hours sleep could all too easily not have happened without that dose of Dream Water in the mix.
I was given the Dream Water for review purposes, and when I discovered the price, I thought $19.99 for a six-pack seemed high, given that melatonin in pill form is much more economical. However, unlike melatonin, individual bottles are available at over 1,000 travel and airport retail locations including Hudson News and The Paradise Shops. I’ve spotted them at the Walgreen’s checkout and at the Atlanta airport.
If you’re a frequent traveler who already is a melatonin user or user of any of the other ingredients or sleep aids, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend switching. But for those of you who are not, and want a little hard to come by peace on earth during your upcoming holiday travels, I wouldn’t hesitate next time you’re running to catch a flight to pick up a single shot. I certainly wouldn’t if I’d forgotten my melatonin (which is fairly likely if I’m anxious and worried about all those things of great importance, such my family, dog and just trying to remember my passport.) Your stress levels and the well-rested visage that greets you in the mirror in the morning will thank you.
Ahem… I am a Travel Belle, and not a doctor! This is not medical advice. Be sure to read instructions thoroughly before trying Dream Water. If you have any concerns, consult with a medical professional. There is good information available on the Dream Water website.
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I’ve never heard of this before! I’ve tried melatonin and it didn’t work a lick for me, so I’m very interested in trying this. I would LOVE to sleep on a long flight for a change. 🙂
I have taken Melotin and it did not work for me but I would be pleased to try this dream water.
Why is sleep so elusive for some and then folks like my husband can fall asleep anywhere, anytime?
I’ve always avoided travel that included really long flights and blame it on claustrophobia but it’s probably anxiety over not sleeping and the extreme anxiety that would surely follow.
maybe it will work for you, Jacqueline – it’s worth a try! I’ve taken 5-htp before and it does seem to help with relaxation.
I know! So unfair, right? I always marvel when I’m walking the aisles on a long flight at just how many people are passed out!