Sleeping outdoors is certainly a different experience, but that doesn't mean it's always pleasant. If it's sometimes difficult to fall asleep in the comfort of our bed, imagine being outdoors. The ideal is to go out prepared so as not to deprive ourselves of new experiences and enjoy them as much as possible.
You need to sleep well to perform well on a day of activity in the mountains
Due to the economic savings they represent, camping environments are quite popular; in addition to the monetary advantage over a hotel, it allows the camper to be in direct contact with nature.But when we are going to be in a tent for several days and use a sleeping bag, without being used to it, soon the body will send rejection signals, demanding the usual comfort again.
Remember that the night is for resting and if instead of replenishing energy, we stay up late, get cold and don't sleep, we will hardly perform well on a day of physical activity in the outdoors.
Alternatives to avoid getting cold in a tent
Pay attention to the following tips to sleep comfortably when camping and make the most of this experience:
1. Bring a suitable sleeping bag.
If we have a sleeping bag that does not protect us enough, a sleepless night is guaranteed. When you go to buy a sleeping bag, do not only look at the model; in addition to the quality and comfort, evaluate the temperature it will offer so that you do not freeze in the early morning.
It would be perfect to have a sleeping bag that provides comfort between 10 and 15 degrees more than the temperatures you will be exposed to when camping.
2. Urinate before going to bed
When we empty the bladder, the body burns less energy to keep us warm; therefore, it is good to urinate before going to bed. Another point in favor is that if we go earlier, we will not have to get up in the early morning and, therefore, we would not interrupt our sleep.
3. Pad your mat more
It will be enough to place an extra piece of equipment under the pad, so that there is more cushioning between the person and the ground. Since the idea is to be prepared, but not excessively loaded, inflatable or foam mats would be very useful, which offer great insulation, we can find a great variety on the market.
4. A hot water bottle
It helps keep the bag warm for longer, despite how cold the inflatable camping tent may be. A plastic bottle, one of those that contain water, juice or soda, works. We place it between the legs, in contact with the femoral artery and at a temperature that your body tolerates. This translates into safe rest.
If we do not want to place a water bottle between our legs, because it is uncomfortable, there is also the alternative of pouring boiling water into a plastic jar, closing it and placing it at the bottom of the bag, perhaps covered with a cloth, so that it keeps the area warm and we do not feel cold.
5. Protect your bag from moisture
It must be kept dry. If you've been hiking in the rain, think about your jacket and protect it from getting wet.
6. Eat
If the cold wakes you up in the middle of the night, eat a chocolate bar to boost your metabolism.
7. Don't sleep in wet clothes
Whether it's water or sweat, you have to remove wet clothes from your body. If we want to rest and feel warm during the night, we have to sleep in dry clothes.
8. Thermal or synthetic clothing
They are perfect for keeping us warm and not subjecting ourselves to low temperatures that freeze the body. These will help us sleep warm.
Clothing with several layers is ideal for sleeping in tents and staying warm. From jackets to pants and socks, they keep you warm for a pleasant rest.
9. Maintain circulation
Although we must protect ourselves from the cold, we cannot hinder circulation either. Remove from your body any clothing that constricts blood flow and prevents you from sleeping comfortably.
10. Branches and leaves also work
If the problem is that you don't have enough material to insulate the bag and keep it warm while you sleep, then take advantage of the benefits of nature and opt for dry leaves and branches. Pile some under the tent, and the results are good.
11. Exercise
One way to keep the bag warm is to do a round of squats and then lie down; in fact, every time you get cold, the exercise lessens the feeling.
12. Fill spaces
The less free space there is in the bag, the less likely we are to get cold. If the bag is too big, use some clothing to fill it, so that the layers help to keep it warm.
13. Tarp for snow
If it snows, it is best to place a tarp or other material such as pine branches between the ground and the tent, to insulate ourselves and not feel the cold of the ground.