How Long Is Too Long? Navigating Overnight Stays Without Wearing Out Your Welcome

It’s the holiday season, which means either you’re heading to a loved one’s home for a visit or your friends and family are coming to you. Either way, you’re sure to have a great time.

However, you might not have as much time to enjoy this festive season as you think.

According to Serta Simmons Bedding’s Sleep Disruptors Survey, which polled 2,000 Americans across generations, 49% of respondents believe that spending four days or more at someone’s home as a guest is too much. Fortunately, 79% of those polled indicated that their guests respect this social norm, opting to stay four nights or less throughout the holiday season.

Consequently, it is crucial to adhere to this guideline. The survey highlighted that both hosts and guests lose a significant amount of sleep during these visits. In fact, the bedding company reported that hosts lose an average of two and a half hours of sleep per day while preparing for guests.

Moreover, the company observed that 75% of participants found their sleep cycle disrupted during their stay, primarily because they felt the need to align their bedtime and wake-up time with that of their host.

“Whether hosting guests or staying with friends or family during this holiday season, prioritizing a good night’s sleep is vital,” stated JD Velilla, head of sleep experience at Serta Simmons Bedding, in a statement. “When possible, try to stick to your regular routine, which may include daily exercise, consistent mealtimes, and sleep/wake schedules, along with pre-sleep activities like meditation.”

Therefore, it may be wise to limit overnight stays to three days, extending to four only in exceptional circumstances.