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How to Have a Comfortable Night’s Sleep When You’re Camping
Even when a morning is sunny and beautiful out over your campsite, one thing that can make everything seem dark and dull is the quality of sleep you had: if you slept on the hard ground, your back and neck might be killing you all day! One of the best prescriptions for a great vacation is having a great sleep every night. If you’re camping, you’re going to need to know how to bring your bed with you as best as you can. Here are some tips for doing exactly that.
Put a lot between you and the ground. It’s not enough to simply have a sleeping bag – a sleeping bag is for keeping you warm, and not much else. You’re going to want to put a lot between your back and the ground, particularly something stable and soft, if possible. Air mattresses (along with a quick inflating gadget) can be invaluable for having a great night’s sleep. Cots that hang high off of the ground can also be comfortable, making sure you don’t touch the ground. Do your best to find a solution that keeps your back off the ground but also travels well, such as a folding cot or an inflatable air mattress.
Choose your sleeping bag for insulation, not comfort. You’ll find that a sleeping bag does best when it traps as much body heat as possible; not necessarily when it feels the best over your body. To get a good night’s sleep, you’ll want to be comfortable, but you can easily use a more comfortable blanket to buffer between yourself and the sleeping bags. Most sleeping bags are not uncomfortable, so this won’t be a major problem: just remember to keep inside your sleeping bag because its purpose is insulation and heat-trapping.Bring a pillow from home. Consider your pillow one of your luxury items: it doesn’t pack very well, but it is important enough to make that kind of sacrifice. A large, fluffy but firm pillow will help you to rest your neck and head comfortably, allowing you to feel comfortable enough the following day so that you can hike, swim, and do all of the things associated with camping.
Make sure you’re insulated from moisture. If you’ve brought a camper, this is an easy consideration. If you’re in a tent, however, you’ll want to make sure that everything is secure. You’ll want to keep the outside world as sealed off as possible so that your tent can be warm, soft, and dry. Make sure you’re protected from rain during the night and that everything is properly zipped up.
Photo Credits: lbshopgirl
