How To Get The Best Sleep on Your Camping Trip
Nothing is worse than trying to get a good night's sleep while camping, and feeling like you've barely slept at all. But we're here to tell you that it doesn't have to be that way. With the right gear and a bit of planning, you can get the restful sleep you need while camping out in the great outdoors. Here are some tips for getting a good night's sleep when camping.
Plan Ahead
Planning ahead can help ensure that you get enough rest while camping. Make sure you know what time the sun will be rising each morning so that you can plan accordingly - you don't want to be woken up too early by the first rays of sunlight! Additionally, try not to go to bed too late as this could prevent you from getting enough quality sleep throughout the night. Instead, stick with a consistent bedtime routine that works best for your body clock and allows for 7–9 hours of uninterrupted rest each night (even when camping!).
The Right Pillow Setup Is Key
This may sound like a no-brainer, but a lot of people forget how helpful your own pillow can be when you’re away from home. Not only is it familiar and comfortable, but it also helps you fall asleep faster since you don’t have to adjust to an unfamiliar pillow. This applies even if you’re car camping so don’t forget your pillow.
Aside from bringing your own pillow from home make sure you you have an inflatable camping pillow to give you some elevation or as a spare should yours get dirty, when they are not inflated they don't take up any room so better to have one handy.
Sleep Headphones
Campgrounds can be noisy places - from other campers talking and laughing around their fire late into the night, to birds chirping in the early morning hours. To help tune out this nighttime racket, try investing in some high-quality sleep headphones. These will help you stay asleep longer by blocking out any unwanted noise and keeping your ears warm too. Alternatively make sure you take some earplugs with you at minimum so you can use them in the morning to ensure you get the number of hours sleep you need to be energised for the day ahead.
Weighted Blanket
If it gets cold at night and you don't want to sleep with multiple layers of clothing or blankets on, consider getting a weighted blanket for extra warmth. Weighted blankets provide gentle pressure that helps relax muscles and reduce stress so that you can drift off into deep sleep quickly and easily. Just make sure that the blanket isn't too heavy - otherwise it might be uncomfortable or difficult to move around under during the night.
Get Comfortable
Making sure you're comfortable is an obvious factor when it comes to getting some shut-eye while camping. Take your time setting up your sleeping area when you arrive and make sure everything is arranged properly - your sleeping bag should be laid out flat on an even surface with plenty of extra padding underneath for comfort.
If it's too hot or cold outside, use layers of clothing or blankets to adjust your body temperature accordingly. Finally, find something relaxing to do before bedtime - like reading a book or listening to music - to help prepare yourself mentally for sleep.
Next to your bed
Make sure to keep a bottle of water beside your bed in case you wake up in the middle of the night. This way, you won't have to go searching for hydration. Additionally, it's a good idea to put your shoes next to your water just in case you need to make a quick bathroom run while camping. And ofcourse your torch should be with you at all times.