Sleep Comfortably On Your Next Camping Trip With These Tips
By KRISTEN ORDONEZ
Finding the spot to set up your tent is crucial to sleeping comfortably. The ground should be clear of rocks and debris so as not to be painful to walk or sleep on.
Level Ground
Consider the size of your tent compared to the site, the distance to the campfire, and if there's shade. On a slope, pitch your tent either parallel or perpendicular to it.
Resting on a slope can cause your gear or tent to slide or slip. Use outdoor-grade slip tape to hold things in place, especially if you move around often at night.
While sleeping in a hammock is restful, what can be stressful is figuring out how to get into it. Luckily, the setup and self-orientation are easy to remember.
Hammocks
Avid hammock users warn not to pull it too tightly and to try to keep your sag's angle at 30 degrees or more when sitting or lying down diagonally.
Although prices increase for temperature ratings, using a sleeping bag and pad will ensure good rest and can be reused often.
Sleeping Gear
The pad protects you from the ground, while the bag insulates the space around you. The ground temperature directly affects you without the pad, which is not ideal.
The pillow beneath your head should have enough support to keep the head, neck, and spine aligned, and those who are side sleepers should pack an extra.
Pillows
Side sleeping can benefit sleep apnea, digestion issues, snoring, and back pain. If you can't use a pillow, a rolled-up jacket or blanket between the knees also works.
Just like day clothes are tailored to the weather and made for adventuring, at night, what you wear to bed can affect how restful your sleep is.
Pajamas
In case your clothes get wet from the weather or sweat, it's crucial to bring separate, dry sleeping clothes so the dampness will not affect your body temperature.