Staying in a hotel or motel comes with its own set of habits and precautions, especially when you’re in an unfamiliar environment. One piece of advice that seasoned travelers and hotel staff often share is simple but essential: leave the bathroom light on when sleeping in a hotel room. This small action can offer a range of benefits, from increasing safety to helping you feel more at ease during your stay. But why exactly is this practice recommended? Let’s explore the reasons behind this clever habit.

1. Emergency Preparedness: Be Ready for the Unexpected

Staying in a new environment means you’re not as familiar with the layout as you would be at home. In the event of an emergency, such as a fire alarm, earthquake, or sudden intrusion, leaving the bathroom light on can help you quickly navigate the room and find the exit.

When panic strikes, having a light source allows you to avoid wasting time fumbling for a phone or the light switch. In a dark, unfamiliar room, this can make all the difference. Knowing where the bathroom is, and having a faint light to guide you, could help save precious seconds in an emergency evacuation.

While no one ever expects these events to happen during their stay, being prepared is a small yet effective precaution that enhances your safety.

2. Reduces Fear and Anxiety: A Comforting Glow

Many people experience mild anxiety or discomfort when sleeping in unfamiliar environments like hotels or motels. The sensation of being away from home, coupled with the potential noise of guests in neighboring rooms, can make falling asleep a challenge. Leaving the bathroom light on offers a comforting, low-level light that can help reduce anxiety without being too intrusive or disruptive to your sleep.

For those who are easily startled or tend to feel uneasy in strange settings, this gentle light can make a significant difference. It provides a sense of security and familiarity, making it less likely that you’ll wake up in the middle of the night feeling disoriented or scared. Knowing there’s a light on in the room, even if it’s not directly in your sleeping area, can help you feel more at peace.

3. Promotes Better Sleep: The Perfect Balance of Light

Surprisingly, leaving the bathroom light on can help improve your quality of sleep, especially for those who struggle to rest in complete darkness. While some people prefer total darkness, others find a nightlight or some ambient lighting helps them relax. However, too much light—especially from a bedside lamp or overhead light—can be harsh and disrupt sleep patterns.

The bathroom light, on the other hand, provides a soft, indirect glow that’s far enough from your bed to avoid keeping you awake. It’s the ideal middle ground: enough light to feel secure without it being too bright to interrupt your sleep cycle. Additionally, if you do wake up in the middle of the night, the light makes it easier to navigate without fully waking yourself or disturbing others in the room.

4. Enhances Security: A Simple Deterrent

If you’re traveling alone or simply value extra precautions while sleeping in a hotel, leaving the bathroom light on can also act as a deterrent for unwanted visitors. A lit room often gives the impression that someone is awake and aware, which can make anyone with bad intentions think twice before attempting to break in.

This added layer of security may not seem like much, but in environments where privacy and safety are concerns, every bit helps. Seeing light seeping from beneath a door may be enough to convince a potential intruder that it’s not worth the risk of attempting to enter a room.

5. Helps with Orientation and Prevents Accidents

When you’re staying in a hotel, the room’s layout is unfamiliar, and the furniture and objects in the space may not be placed where you expect them to be. This unfamiliarity can lead to accidents, especially if you wake up in the middle of the night and can’t see where you’re going. Leaving the bathroom light on helps prevent this.

For example, you may wake up needing to use the bathroom or grab a glass of water, but in the darkness, you’re more likely to bump into furniture, trip over a bag, or stumble in search of a light switch. With the bathroom light on, you’ll have just enough illumination to navigate the room safely without the risk of injury or disturbing others in the room.

6. Provides Quick Access to the Bathroom

When you need to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, the last thing you want is to be searching for it in complete darkness. Leaving the bathroom light on ensures you can find your way quickly and without any hassle. It’s especially helpful if you’re in a large room or suite, where the bathroom isn’t immediately adjacent to the bed.

Being able to see where you’re going also reduces the chances of tripping or knocking over items, which can make your nighttime trip much smoother and less jarring. No one wants to be fully woken up by a sudden fall or a loud crash in the middle of the night.

Small Action, Big Benefits

In summary, leaving the bathroom light on while sleeping in a hotel is a small, simple action that brings numerous benefits. From enhancing your safety and preparing you for emergencies to helping reduce anxiety and promoting better sleep, this habit is one that seasoned travelers swear by. The next time you check into a hotel or guesthouse, consider leaving the bathroom light on. You may find it makes your stay more comfortable, safer, and more restful.

After all, when you’re in an unfamiliar place, a little extra light can go a long way in helping you feel at ease and prepared for anything.