What is first night syndrome that disrupts our sleep when we go to bed?

Whether at a friend’s house, in a guest house or in a palace, sleeping far from home is not always easy. The fault of what we call “the first night effect”Or “first night syndrome”. Highlighted by Sofitel hotels as part of a sleep study, this syndrome, which is characterized by a “state of alert”, manifests itself when a person sleeps for the first time in a place that is unfamiliar to them. .

In fact, we observe activity above normal in the left hemisphere of the brain, which keeps us on our guard even when our eyes are closed. Enough to explain why despite the comfort of certain beds, although much cozier than ours, we still struggle to fall asleep and spend a peaceful night when we sleep far from home.

Aware of the existence of this “problem”, Sofitel has made it one of its main challenges, paying particular attention to the sleep of its customers. And for good reason, according to the figures, in 2023, 45% of Sofitel customers have only stayed one night in its hotels, i.e. as many profiles which are particularly likely to have been affected by the first night effect.

How to counter the first night effect?

But how can we counter this syndrome? This is what Sofitel sought to find out by conducting an experiment with a panel of customers. 50 volunteers agreed to participate in this study published in the Journal of Sleep Disorders & Therapy, which took place in two phases. Their sleep was first analyzed at home to measure its quality. Then, they were invited to stay one night in a specially equipped room at the Sofitel Paris Arc de Triomphe hotel.

This test room was plunged into total darkness with a temperature set at 19°C, neutralization of sounds and odors, all coupled with a dinner composed according to demanding nutritional qualities, several bursts of hydration and breathing exercises. All the senses have also been studied, in particular thanks to sleep sensors installed under the mattress. His goal ? Deliver a sleep score out of 100, based on 6 factors: its duration, depth, regularity, interruptions, time to fall asleep and wake-up phase.

Results of the races: on average, the quality of sleep of participants in the room of the Sofitel Paris Arc de Triomphe hotel was 13.7% higher than at home. The people in this study slept 65 minutes more on average. Heart and respiratory rates were also analyzed: the latter were found to be slower, a sign of deeper sleep. 32% of those evaluated woke up after 8 a.m. Finally, 64% of participants took less than 30 minutes to fall asleep. Figures that echo the positive feedback: more than 8 out of 10 people described the experience as “good” to “very good”. When asked about the best parts of this experience, the mattress and pillow were cited 96% of the time.

Enough to give a more precise idea of ​​the different elements which contribute to promoting more quality sleep.

The Art of Sleep according to Sofitel

Thanks to the lessons learned from the study, Sofitel is preparing to enrich its protocol called “The Art of Sleep” by deploying new rituals in its hotels, from July 2024. On the program: light meals designed to help you fall asleep, tailor-made treatment protocols, relaxing playlists composed especially for the brand’s hotels, or even a specific adjustment of lights and temperature.

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