Want to say goodbye to all your worst nightmares about sleeping in a tent? Well, it is not impossible to turn your tent into a second home; it needs a bit of forethought.
Unplanned trips are the best but not if you don’t pack your backpack right. Don’t feel confident that you can sleep happily with a blanket alone.
After all, who doesn’t dream of a good night’s sleep after a weary day outdoors?
Here is everything you need to know about sleeping comfortably in a tent.
Most Comfortable Ways To Sleep In A Tent: 5 Never Seen Ideas
- Invest in a good sleeping system
- Plan your trip according to the weather
- Adopt effective bug control methods
- Maintain good personal hygiene
- Organize your tent neat and clean
Let me walk you through these tips to save your night.
1. Invest in a good sleeping system
You can sleep like a baby in your tent if you invest in the right sleep gears. Before buying one, make sure that it is not bulky and difficult to pack. Give it a test run before using it. You can also rent travel gear and try before actually buying it.
A standard comfy sleeping system will have a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, sleeping bag liners, and an inflatable pillow.
An effective sleeping system has
- A sleeping bag: Find a good one that suits your purpose and comfort, preferably light-weight, durable, and waterproof. If you need extra space pick a rectangular one, if you want a compact bag that keeps you warm all night, mummy bags are a good option.
- A sleeping pad: Self-inflating air mattresses or a closed-cell pad adds better insulation and an extra layer of comfort.
- A sleeping bag liner: It provides you extra warmth and comfort and is easy to clean. Use synthetic or polyester liners for better insulation.
- A sleeping pillow: An inflatable pillow is a must for a good night’s sleep. Always carry a lightweight pillow to fall asleep quickly.[1]
2. Plan your trip according to the weather:
When and where you are sleeping will matter a lot when you are spending time outdoors. Cold freezing grounds and arid regions deserve different travel gears. So, choose wisely to avoid discomfort. Then, find a good spot to set your tent up. A plain surface would be excellent. Check for insect trails, animal footprints, and sharp objects before setting up your tent.
Here are some additional tips to keep in mind.
Setting up a tent in hot regions:
Even when you are camping in a hot place, chances are high that temperature will drop at night. So plan accordingly. Use a spacious sleeping bag. Do not sleep with multiple layers of clothes, instead wear loose-fitting garments and a clean pair of socks. Refrain from having a heavy meal before sleep.
Setting up a tent in cold regions:
Sleeping bags are available in different thermal ranges. When you go for a cold night sleep outdoors pick one that offers high insulation. Use sleeping pads, preferably air mattresses so that you won’t come in direct contact with the cold ground below.
3. Adopt effective bug control methods
Crawling little bugs will ruin your night if you don’t take enough precautions. They might even gnaw your tent and leave holes in it. To prevent this, you can attach a bug net in your tent or rub some bug repellents on your body before sleeping.
Before setting up your tent search for insect trails or bite marks on the ground first. You can also use essential oils like lemongrass oil or lavender oil to keep bugs at bay.
4. Maintain good personal hygiene
Camping in an unfamiliar place is not so easy. It will affect your daily routines. So you should pay attention to your health and cleanliness for enabling a night of good sleep.
Change into a clean set of clothes before sleeping.
Take a shower if possible. At cold places carry an extra pair of blankets and wear socks before sleeping. It will help in locking body heat and keep you warm. You can also keep a hot water bottle near your feet. Using sleep liners will help to seal the body temperature as well.
If you are setting up a tent in hot places, try to carry a small portable fan with you. And select sleeping bags that are spacious and nicely ventilated.
If you don’t want the trouble of creepy sounds at night, don’t leave your earplugs back home. Listening to some white noise will nullify other creepy noises. Also, calm music will drive you into a peaceful sleep fast.
If you have trouble sleeping, play your favorite songs, or listen to some nice podcasts. You can also listen to guided sleep meditation and relax.
If you are having any medical issues, make sure that you take your medicines on time. Also carry extra tablets for general health issues like traveling sickness, diarrhea, etc.
Also, if you are a person who keeps a journal, you can write about the day’s experience before sleeping and plan your next day.
5. Organize your tent neat and clean
Do not stuff your tent with your belongings. If you are keeping extra luggage inside the tent, keep it in an organized manner.
Do not sleep inside a messy tent, it will instantly drop your mood. Also, drying up your washed clothes above your tent is not the best option.
Do carry a set of small hangers with you for this purpose. Leave your shoes outside to avoid the musty smell lingering in your tent.
Do not keep any perfumed objects inside the tent. Most of the tents have air pockets inside them, use them wisely to store your things.
Try buying double spaced sleeping bags if you want to get extra comfy. This will leave room for your extra luggage.
Final Thoughts
In addition to the above-mentioned tips, you can also do some exercise and hit your bed all exhausted. Drinking a warm non-alcoholic beverage before sleep is also good.
So, prepare well and hit the camping grounds with confidence now. Happy camping!
