Camping Checklists
Camping Checklists
New to camping? Its always helpful to have a list of kit you need..over the coming weeks I’ll be posting camping checklist to ensure you dont leave behind those essential items!
“Anyone pack the tomato sauce?”
Steps To Guarantee Yourself A Better Nights Sleep
Get A Better Nights Sleep Whilst Camping
If you’ve ever been camping you’ll know it’s not easy to get a good night sleep…. You hear strange sounds around you, the air temperature changes as it gets dark… the early morning light wakes you up….What most people don’t know is that there are a few simple steps you can take a to guarantee yourself a better nights sleep!
What makes it even harder is when you don’t get enough sleep, your sleep is disturbed or you get woken up early!
The steps in this guide are from personal experience, detailing what we’ve found helpful when trying to sleep whilst away in our tent….
Simply follow the steps below to get a better night sleep…
- Before it gets dark, just double check your guide ropes and tent frame are secure, as the last thing you need is to be securing your tent during the night if you suddenly get caught up in bad weather.
This might sound like it has nothing to do with a better night’s sleep but its building your piece of mind, so when you do eventually go to sleep you’ll know your tents going to do its job.
- Move anything you might need during the night into your sleeping compartment, keeping it close to your bed. Looking for the things via torch light during the night can be a little tricky and tends to disturb others.
Don’t forget your earplugs! these little things can be a real god send, especially if noise disturbs you. There are some very different noises you’ll hear when camping and rather than wondering what they are, just block them out!
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- Pre-warm your bed….camping in cooler or wet climates tends to make your bed or sleeping bag feel damp, and the last thing you want to do before going to sleep is to be warming yourself up. A pre-warmed bed makes you instantly relax.
Air beds go really cold when outside which causes the air pressure inside them to drop. This makes them feel soft…. if you check your mattress in the morning you’ll see how soft the mattress has gone…by insulating them top and bottom the air inside stays warmer and they don’t go as soft keeping you comfortable all night.
I’ve found putting a fleece blanket under the mattress and one on top really helps….we’ve even used synthetic wool mattress toppers before….those defiantly keep the air warmer inside the mattress preventing it from deflating.
If you’re glamping an electric blanket also works wonders. Make sure yours is water proof…obviously follow the manufactures instructions for use!
- Ensure you’ve got the right pyjamas for the climate your camping in…. don’t wear too many layers or you’ll end up sweating, then you’ll wake up either too hot or cold from the damp sleeping bag or sheets.
Wear less if your mattress is well insulated or if you’re lucky enough to be sleeping with a loved one as your body heat and the extra insulation will keep you warmer.
- Secure your tent from the inside…I’ve always been mindful about the children waking up in the night, being a bit disorientated and making their way out of the tent thinking they’re somewhere else…
An easy way to do this is to connect the zips through the eye hole with a carabina clip… it stops the zips being pulled apart. It keeps little people in, and prevents unwanted visitors from outside…..another tip for piece of mind, hopefully allowing you to sleep without that worry.
- This might not be for you…. but you may find it helps with the early morning light. If you’ve pitched up in a location where the early morning sun is directly on your tent you may well be woken earlier than normal…try wearing an eye mask the dark material over your eyes tends to counter act the light.
I’m sure you’ll look lovely…if not, well at least you won’t be woken up as early!
- Take time to wind down and relax…maybe cook some smores on the fire and have a glass of wine…look at the stars or read a book…enjoy your surroundings its what camping’s about.
Don’t expect to be running on adrenaline all day then being able to suddenly fall asleep…take the time to relax and calm down.
Coupled with the other steps in this guide you should be able to easily fall asleep and wake up feeling refreshed and ready to go.
If you have an idea or method that you think should be included in this guide, let us know…being part of the mi-camp community is about sharing things… things that make camping easier, safer, more comfortable, more enjoyable more fun!
Thank you for reading… I hope your next night away will be restful.
Ps. It would be nice to hear your stories or find out how these steps have helped you……send over your pictures, comments & thoughts via the contact page, or post them into the comments below.