When staying in a hotel or motel, making small adjustments can significantly improve your comfort and safety in an unfamiliar environment. One often overlooked yet highly effective tip is to leave the bathroom light on while you sleep. This seemingly minor act has a surprising number of benefits, from reducing anxiety to enhancing personal safety. Seasoned travelers and hotel staff often recommend this simple practice, and here’s why it can make a big difference during your stay.

Emergencies are unpredictable, and they can be even more daunting when you’re in an unfamiliar setting. Imagine waking up in the middle of the night to a fire alarm or the sudden jolt of an earthquake. In total darkness, finding your bearings and locating an exit quickly can feel almost impossible. Leaving the bathroom light on provides an immediate point of reference, making it easier to navigate to safety.

That soft glow from the bathroom can guide you out of the room faster than fumbling for your phone or searching for a light switch. In high-stress situations, every second matters, and having a light source already on can save precious time. While no one wants to think about worst-case scenarios while on vacation, being prepared for emergencies is a simple yet effective way to ensure peace of mind.

Beyond emergencies, sleeping in a new place can feel unsettling for many people. Even the most luxurious hotel rooms often fail to replicate the sense of security you feel at home. For those prone to anxiety in unfamiliar surroundings, leaving the bathroom light on can be a comforting solution.

The soft light offers just enough illumination to help you orient yourself without being so bright that it disturbs your sleep. This subtle reassurance can make it easier to relax, fall asleep, and stay asleep throughout the night. Should you wake up unexpectedly, the presence of light can help prevent feelings of disorientation or fear, allowing you to settle back into rest more quickly.

For individuals who are light-sensitive, the bathroom light serves as the perfect compromise. While sleeping in complete darkness can feel too isolating for some, having a bedside lamp on might be too harsh and disruptive. The bathroom light strikes a balance—it’s distant enough to avoid interfering with your sleep but still provides enough illumination to keep the room from being completely dark.

This convenience extends to those inevitable nighttime moments when you need to use the restroom or grab something nearby. Instead of fully waking yourself by turning on a bedside lamp or hunting for your phone’s flashlight, you can navigate effortlessly thanks to the soft light already on. This not only helps you fall back asleep faster but also prevents unnecessary interruptions to your rest.

Safety is another crucial factor to consider. While rare, break-ins or unwanted intrusions in hotels and motels can happen. A bathroom light left on creates the appearance that someone in the room is awake and alert, potentially deterring would-be intruders. Even in the unlikely event of a security issue, the light provides enough visibility to react quickly and effectively.

The layout of hotel rooms often differs from what you’re accustomed to at home, and navigating in the dark can be tricky. A stray suitcase or unfamiliar piece of furniture can easily lead to a stubbed toe or a worse injury during a midnight bathroom run. Leaving the bathroom light on ensures you have enough visibility to move around safely without risking accidents or injuries.

This benefit is particularly important for those who wake up frequently at night. Instead of stumbling in the dark, you can move around confidently without the risk of tripping or bumping into something unfamiliar. The light’s subtle glow helps you maintain your orientation while allowing others in the room to continue sleeping undisturbed.

Speaking of others, leaving the bathroom light on is also a considerate choice if you’re sharing a room. Turning on a bright lamp to find something or use the restroom can easily disrupt your roommate’s sleep. The bathroom light, however, provides just enough illumination to handle your needs without waking others. This makes it an ideal solution for families, couples, or friends traveling together, especially when sleep schedules vary.

In conclusion, leaving the bathroom light on while sleeping in a hotel or motel is a small action with significant benefits. It prepares you for emergencies, eases anxiety, promotes restful sleep, enhances personal safety, and helps you navigate unfamiliar spaces more easily. Whether you’re traveling alone or with others, this one habit can make your stay more comfortable and secure.

The next time you check into a hotel, take a moment to turn on the bathroom light before you go to bed. It’s a simple precaution that could provide comfort, safety, and peace of mind throughout your stay. Sometimes, it’s the smallest adjustments that make the biggest difference, and this easy habit is one worth adopting on every trip.