You’ve heard it so many times before; going camping offers you the perfect chance to get closer to this wonderful thing called nature, and it’s really good! It’s a chance for ultimate escapism if that’s what you’re after, or perhaps just a lovely trip away with a loved one or family. Either way, you don’t have to give up on comfort. That’s why we’ve shared how to get better quality sleep while camping because it’s a sacrifice you don’t have to make!
Sleeping bags
If you pick a sleeping bag that fits your needs then you’re going to find it much easier to sleep. Temperature is key to sound slumber because being too hot will prevent your body from cooling enough to trigger sleep while being too cold will stop you from being cosy enough to drift off.
You can choose sleeping bags such as the car or backpack versions which can help you get what you need and sleep well too.
Sleeping pads
You can get your hands on several different types of sleeping pads:
- Air
- Self-inflating
- Closed-cell foam
Depending on how much weight you want to carry and the type of camping trip you’re on, you can pick from a thicker, wider pad or go for the more lightweight version of an air pad or closed-cell pad, depending on your preference. For us, the thicker the better!
Pillows
When it comes to your pillows, you have options. You can bring the pillows you use at home, which can always help with instant comfort and association with good sleep, or if you find it easier to nod off, you can take a foam or inflatable camp pillow.
Earplugs and eye masks
If you want to get extra sleep as dawn breaks then an eye mask is a great travel accessory for any camper. Team your eye mask with earplugs to block out, or dullen exterior noise. We all know how close-by things can seem when you’re in the tent, and then there’s the sound of your neighbour snoring and the tent rustling in the wind too!
Camping lights
At night it gets dark and if you don’t have something you can use to see when all the natural light disappears then it’s tricky to navigate around the camp.
You can opt for a headlamp, LED-style lantern or even your mobile phone light if you’d prefer. Although the latter can reduce the battery life of your phone, which you may not be keen to do if you are away from a recharging point.
Stick with recognised routines
What’s the last thing you do at night? Think of it, then make sure you do it before you slip off to sleep in your tent as this gives your brain a trigger-style response that now is time to wind down and get some rest. Humans love a routine, and the right routine can really help you get into the mind frame for sleep.
Pick the right bedwear
If you’ve been active all day and you’re up for the real outdoors experience, don’t worry about thinking this has to transfer over into your bedtime too. make sure you get changed out of dirty and sweaty clothes and wear something comfortable for the conditions you are sleeping in.
Pack some clean tops and bottoms that are loose and comfy. Depending on the location, packing some socks for sleeping in might also be a nice idea.
It’s also worth mentioning that you don’t want to get into bed overdressed. Wearing thick, bulky garments when you’re in a sleeping bag can be uncomfortable and inhibit your bag’s ability to manage your body heat levels.
Brace for a midnight toilet dash!
Inevitably, if you don’t prepare for it, you won’t be able to easily slip off for a toilet break in the middle of the night with maximum efficiency!
So, to be on the safe side, when you head off to bed, stick a pair of flip-flops, or trainers by the tent door and put your light somewhere nearby too so you can see where you’re going.
Keeping bugs away makes for a better night sleep
There’s nothing worse than feeling the tickling of a mysterious bug dancing across your hand as you are just slipping off to sleep. So we have given a heap of tips to help your bug free camping trip go without a hitch. With a bit of preparation and the right approach, there’s no need to get caught out by unwanted guests. You can read the full article here:
Bug Free Camping: How To Keep Bugs Away While Sleeping Outside
Remember to relax
The last and probably most important tip is simply to relax. You didn’t take yourself off on a camping trip to stress yourself out, so, enjoy it!
If you don’t often go on this type of break, there’s the chance that you will lie back at night alertly listening with some degree of angst to each and every little sound made outside the tent.
Just remember that small sounds, as we touched on previously, sound larger at night, so try to let it be part of the experience and relax. There’s nothing out there that will put you in any harm, so slip the eye mask on, pop the earplugs in and float off to the Land of Nod.
