11 Tips on Sleeping in a Tent with Comfort

Most people relate camping with being relaxed out in nature, away from all the everyday modern stresses. People also think about being tired and worn out from walking, being bitten by bugs and also waking up in a soggy mess. All this leads to being more tired than you were before you even fell asleep.

Therefore, camping becomes a topic of controversy when it comes to the matter of relaxation.

Most people, especially beginners feel relieved once they reach back home but if only a few things are maintained while camping, sleeping in a tent becomes a lot easier.

Some Important Tips for Sleeping in a Tent

Here are few tips you should follow for perfect sleeping.

1. Picking a Good Spot to Pitch the Tent

Before your setup and pitch your tent, you must make sure that you have found a good spot. Find an area with a level and solid ground which has no rocks, sticks or any other objects laying around.

This is so that nothing digs into your back or into your feet once you are set up your tent.

2. Sleeping Pads for Tent Sleeping

When camping, sleeping on the ground is not comfortable at all and can be really harsh on your back. Sleeping pads are very small in size and come in different variations, foam, inflatable, and self-inflating.

These pads allow you to lie on a soft, cushioned surface without the need of large heavy traditional mattresses. If you are out to buy these and are looking for the smallest package, then foam sleeping pads are the one for you but inflatable sleeping pads are most definitely the most comfortable.

3. Sleeping in a Tent on Sleeping Bags

Sleeping bags are just as the name suggests, they are bags in which you sleep. High quality sleeping bags can make a huge difference when it comes to comfortably sleeping in a tent while camping. Perfect ways of sleeping in a sleeping bag in camping is comfortable and safe.

This advantage is even more prominent when camping in cold weather but you just have to make sure that you are getting a sleeping bag that is properly temperature rated. Also, sleeping in a tent in the rain also requires this kind of bags.

There are a few different types of sleeping bags. The mummy-shaped sleeping bags are best for minimalists due to its smaller footprint while the bigger ones are much more comfortable to sleep in since you have room to move around.

The problem with larger sleeping bags is that they can really only be used for perfect RV camping and are not great at keeping heat in.

4. Sleeping on Makeshift Pillows and Bedding

If you are going to be bringing a pillow, then bring a pillow from home since they are a lot more comfortable to sleep in than the ones intended specifically for camping. Most of the time there is not enough room to bring pillows anyway and that is when you have to improvise.

You can make your own pillow with a stuff sack filled with soft clothes of yours and if it is getting colder at night, you can stuff thick, dry and warm clothes to keep more heat in while also providing extra padding.

5. Lighting Considerations for Sleeping in Camping  

You probably want it to be as dark as possible when you are trying to sleep but it is a good idea to have some sort of light source near you just in case you need it.

It usually gets dark rather quickly when you are out in the wilderness because of the lack of other artificial light sources nearby but it, of course, varies from location to location.

 LED flashlights and headlamps are going to be your best bet because of their bright output in a very small size. LED headlamps are probably the most practical because you can have both your hands to work with compared to flashlights.

These light sources if kept inside the tent can be very helpful if you need to relieve yourself in the middle of the night when it is pitch black outside.

6. Blocking Out Light for Tent Sleeping

You must block out all the light from outside when you are about to sleep to ensure your circadian rhythm is on point. Blocking light coming in from the outside will help you get the most comfortable sleep.

Most people find eye masks to be the most practical thing to use when they are trying to sleep but if you are camping in an RV or van, then it is a better idea to have blackout blinds installed on the windows to cover up all the places light can come through from.

7. Blocking out Distracting Sounds

If you are not used to hearing the sound of bugs and other wildlife, it can be really intimidating when trying to sleep. Earplugs are one of the solutions to this problem.

They help by not allowing you to hear the sound of the wildlife and also can prevent you from waking up if you happen to have a partner who loudly snores.

You can also use earbuds to play white noise if you have a power bank or any other way to charge your phone. A lot of people play the sounds of a storm, rain, seashore, etc. to help them fall asleep.

If this does not help you to fall asleep, then you can listen to whatever that helps you such as audiobooks, podcasts or even soft music.

8. Keeping the Tent Cool for Comfortable Sleeping

During summer, it becomes really hard to sleep because of the hot, sticky mess it makes and most people cannot sleep if they are too hot. Especially for family campers, sleeping in a tent with a baby can be really difficult.  

This is why it is important to set your tent up in a shady spot as the sun is going to be up for longer during summer.

Try to find a place near a hill, near some trees or under any other objects that will provide shade from the sun. You should also make sure that there is adequate breeze where you are going to pitch your tent.

Make sure that the door of your tent is in the direction of the breeze and while trying to find a shady spot near lakes or rivers since air tends to flow freely there.

Some people also buy portable air conditioners or fans to install inside of your tent but this is not really the most convenient option because of the amount of room it takes up when packing.

This is why a good quality tent is one of the things you should not cheap out on because these have the best air circulation unlike cheaper tents with no sign of proper vents. A good family cabin tent helps you sleeping in a tent with a toddler securely and comfortably.

9. Keeping the Warm Tent in Cold Weather Camping

During the winter, however, you are going to need a way to keep tent warm and there are a few other ways to do that other than buying weather graded sleeping bags and tents. There are tent heaters which burn gas to keep the inside of the tent warm.  

These are not the most convenient due to the size of it but it surely gets the job done. Some other ways are to eat hot food and drink warm fluids to stay warm before you sleep.

You can also boil some water and fill a hot water bag or bottle and stuff inside your sleeping bag or keep it close by to stay warm. You can also go for a quick jog or perform some quick exercises to heat your body up.

10. Tent Sleeping Tips for Going to Bed Routine

It is best to follow the same routine before sleeping in a bed for camping is to help your body get ready to sleep instead to just trying hard to sleep but failing.

Even though you are out camping, it is better to mimic the way you do things before sleep at home to fall asleep as quickly and as comfortably as possible while camping.

A few tips are to cleaning and washing properly before you fall asleep, making sure that you have brushed your teeth and organized everything in your tent.

Some people have problems sleeping in messy rooms and they also have problems with messy tents so be sure to clean and have everything tidy.

11. What to Do Before Sleeping in a Tent

Listen to a podcast or read a book, if you have a partner with you then play a game of cards maybe.

Make sure that you have relieved yourself before trying to sleep and try to plan a place where you can go before it gets dark because it can get really frustrating if you are trying to relieve yourself at the middle of the night but are just stumbling around in the dark. It is also very important to relax.

You are going to be really tired and sore from all the activities so take a shower or go for a swim in the lake or in a clean water source near you if there is one about an hour or two before you sleep.

Last Few Words

Just follow these tips so that you can sleep comfortably in your tent just like you sleep at home. It is not really much harder and does not require much to be able to be comfortable so just try to do whatever on this list makes you comfortable.