The bizarre rituals 92 per cent of Aussies secretly do in hotel rooms

Whether it's jumping on the mattress, raiding the complimentary toiletries or hunting for phantom intruders behind the curtains, Australians have strange hotel room habits.

New research reveals Aussie travellers rely on strict settling in rituals the moment they get their room key.

The Happiness Institute founder Dr Tim Sharp said that while travel can be exciting, it may also exacerbate anxiety and stress, bringing out our strangest self-soothing habits.

"We are creatures of habit and many of us do these almost unconsciously," the psychologist said.

"Quirky behaviors are a response, as people try to settle and reassure themselves and ultimately feel more comfortable," he said.

These "quirks" are common: 92 per cent of Australians admitted to having a settling in ritual in a survey of more than 1000 adults conducted by IHG's Holiday Inn Express.

But the rituals are diverse, with Generation Z having some of the funnier habits.

Almost a quarter of travellers in their 20s immediately jump on the hotel bed to test the mattress.

Stranger danger was also a strong motivator, with 24 per cent of Gen Z travellers checking behind curtains and wardrobe doors, as well as under the bed.

More than one in five said they would lay in their hotel bed, creating imaginary arguments in their head before falling asleep.

But others turned their late-night thoughts to something more productive; planning what they would eat at the breakfast buffet the next morning.

Dr Sharp said these habits aren't as strange as they may seem, and many of the rituals are functional ways to settle into a new space.

"If you feel more calm, if you're less stressed and worried, then that's going to help you sleep, which is great," he said.

Pillows are a contentious topic, with two-thirds of travellers saying they were fussy about their preferences.

Dr Sharp said that pillow preferences were individual, and could make a huge difference to a traveller's ability to properly rest.

Some hotels, such as Holiday Inn Express, offer pillow menus so travellers can have the precise support for their preferred sleeping position and body frame.

"I would never take a pillow with me, but I wouldn't criticise or judge someone that did," the psychologist said.

"If you feel comfortable doing it, if it's not too disruptive, it's not too expensive, then do whatever the hell you like," he said.

These seemingly bizarre hotel rituals prove that a little bit of comfort goes a long way when it comes to keeping travel anxiety at bay.