At the end of an active, adventurous day of camping activities, you’re beat, and all you want to do is curl up in your sleeping bag and get some rest. But let’s face it—getting a good night’s sleep while camping is easier said than done.
Your bag doesn’t provide all that much buffer between you and the cold, hard ground. The mosquitoes nipping persistently at your skin keep you awake and on guard. And the folks at the site next to yours have been loudly telling scary stories for hours on end with no signs of stopping. Talk about uncomfortable.
If you love to camp but hate how you toss and turn in your tent at night, we’re here to help. Here are five tips for sleeping better while camping that will help you get your much-needed beauty rest.
Dull Noise
Do the sounds of hooting owls, rustling trees and bushes, and rowdy fellow campers bother you? Block them out by wearing a pair of noise-blocking earplugs or headphones to sleep. Alternatively, you can bring along a portable Bluetooth speaker and drown out unpleasant ruckus with your favorite white noise.
Wear a Sleep Mask
Even if you’re an early riser, chances are the sun will wake up before you do. And once the sun is up, it’ll do everything in its power to ensure you wake up, too, whether you want to or not. Its harsh light will pour into your tent and will you to rise. If you’d prefer to sleep in, use a sleep mask to keep the surrounding world dark and cozy even when the sun is shining brilliantly outside.
Stave Off Bugs
Don’t let unwanted visitors break into your tent at night and harass you. You can repel pesky pests like ants, flies, mosquitos, and moths by setting up insect repellent lanterns around your tent or going heavy on the bug spray.
Bring Comforts From Home
Do you have a blanket or plushie that you always sleep with? Do the soothing scents emanating from your essential oil diffuser lull you into the dream world?
The reason you struggle to sleep while camping could be that you’re missing these creature comforts from home. Making your campsite homier can foster feelings of safety and security that help you relax and sleep.
Stick to Your Normal Routine
Try to stick to your normal nighttime routine as best as you can. A disruption to this pattern can ultimately disrupt your sleep. So, if you always brush your teeth, wash your face, have a glass of water, and read a few pages of a book before falling asleep at home, do the same before you tuck into your sleeping bag.
Sleeping in a tent doesn’t have to be terrible. Using these tips for sleeping better while camping can help you achieve a good night’s rest and wake up the next morning invigorated and ready to tackle another day in the Sierra.
Image credit: file # morning tent view By Georg
