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While many people like to relax and sleep quietly indoors with a huge cushioned mattress and a handful of soft pillows, others love exploring the outdoors.
Are you one of those excited to sleep outdoors? Or maybe you just want to be prepared for the unknown, and want to learn how to sleep while camping.
While the thought of sleeping outdoors is alluring to most of us preppers, it is more challenging than most people think, especially if you don’t have the right plan.
Many people have spent sleepless nights inside their tents because they haven’t made the right preparations. It’s sad to know that somebody isn’t enjoying a camping trip.
While it is quite easy to bring a tent and set it up at the campground or ride along in an RV, it is imperative that you use your time well and enjoy the adventure.
So, the next time you decide to spend the night in a camping tent, think about how you’re going to enjoy a pleasant sleep and take note of these tips.
How to Get the Best Sleep While Camping
1. Choose a Good Sleeping Pad
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Probably one of the most important elements of great outdoor sleep, sleeping pads can make the difference in sleeping and not sleeping.
The material you choose should guarantee that it packs easily but inflates instantly. Ensure that it is durable on the base and that you can alter its firmness.
If you’re camping in your off grid trailer, it is recommended that you bring along an extra box mattress pad for extra comfort.
If you can also include a tiny backpacking pillow beside your camping gear, you should do it as well. Pillows can have a huge effect on staying warm.
You can also put in a few garments in your shirt for a pillow, although it may need some fluff.
2. Manage the Surrounding Noise
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Many campers love giving the environment a chance to calm them to sleep, while others can barely stand the chirping, scratching, and screeching throughout the night.
The simple solution is to obstruct the noise by muffling it using something better. For light sleepers, earplugs are necessary. They are inexpensive, portable, and disposable.
Aside from sleeping inside a tent near the ocean, you can try other ways to make constant, repetitive noises less distractive.
You can download a phone app that plays audio sounds to disrupt the repetitive sounds.
3. Temperature Control
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The nights can be cold if you’re sleeping in the wild, especially at high altitudes.
Always remember to check the climate report and be sure that your sleeping bag can last in different types of weather conditions.
If you happen to be camping in the rain, make sure you waterproof your tent first.
In case you are not sure of the climate, the liners of a sleeping bag can indicate warmth.
One way to keep relaxed and cozy inside the tent is a high-temperature water bottle trick: boil some water, pour it into a hot water bag, firmly close the lid, and stick it in the sleeping bag before you go to sleep.
This way, the bag will become a bit warm as soon as you start to crawl inside.
4. Choose a Strategic Area to Pitch Your Tent
The quality of your camping location is very important. Choose a flat and even space, on soft grass, and free of rocks.
You have to avoid physical discomforts that could make you sleep late or wake you up feeling uncomfortable or even noisy terrains that could distract your hearing.
Try wriggling around on the campground first and check how noisy or comfortable it is before setting the tent. If you are sharing the campsite, then set up your tent away from possible noisy neighbors.
If you want to set up on a hill, then orient your sleeping bag so your head is higher than the rest of your body. This way, your blood won’t rush to your head.
It is possible that you will wake up and need to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.
Plan and reduce the hassle: set up your tent close to the bathroom and sleep with your flashlight nearby. It would also be a good idea to pee before going to bed to avoid these distractions.
5. Keep Mosquitoes and Other Unwelcome Pests Away from Your Camping Site
Ensure that your tent or RV has no holes or screens. Buy a mosquito net to protect yourself from pests.
Other items that can help with mosquitoes:
- outdoor citronella candles
- bug spray
- lavender can help
- mosquito repellent bracelet
- solar-powered bug zapper charges during the day, killing off mosquitoes and bugs, and cooling your tent at night
Store and throw away food safely. Not only is it decent campsite etiquette, but it will also keep the wild animals away. You will sleep better with the knowledge that you are safe.
6. Avoid Heavy Meals Late at Night
If you get hungry, consume a snack of dried fruit (I love cherries) and nuts before bedtime. These are very easy to pack, do not need refrigeration, and promote sleep.
Here are some camping food ideas and recipes for your next trip!
While you are at it, avoid caffeine and alcohol after dusk as well. Numerous campers like to bring their favorite alcoholic beverages in a flask.
Drink only during the daytime. While such beverages make you sleepy at first, it later interfere with your sleep.
7. Use a Fan
Crystal Sprague, a camping enthusiast who has visited several campgrounds in the United States, shared that a fan will allow the air to flow and ward off pests and mosquitoes on summer nights.
If your campsite has electricity, a regular fan can do the trick; if not, you can buy battery-powered ones as well.
For a good night’s sleep, including a fan in your list of camping essentials would be a wise move.
8. Sleeping in a Hammock Is Cool
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It is peaceful and comfortable, and it feels amazing both when you wake up and when you fall asleep.
Note that not all hammocks will be comfortable to sleep in, so if you try it, ensure that you have one designed to allow a full night’s sleep.
You should not have to be concerned about falling out of it while you sleep, and you do not want to wake up with marks from sleeping too long on string or knots.
You can get a two-person hammock for extra space and durability.
Final Words
A camping trip is an excellent way to avoid the stress of work, reconnect with the environment, spend time with family and friends, and even learn how to live off grid.
So make sure to follow all the tips in this post to enjoy a good night’s sleep while camping.
