You finally make it to your campsite after a long treacherous journey. Between the car drive and actually walking to your camp - you’re exhausted. As you’re setting up camp, you start to realize it’s going to be hard to get a good night's sleep.

You’re used to sleeping inside in your warm cozy bed. But out here, there’s no warm cozy bed, and the closest thing to a roof over your head is the tent. You spend hours tossing and turning. You are cold, uncomfortable, and wide awake.

Camping can be an amazing experience, but if you can’t sleep during your trip it can end up being exhausting and unenjoyable. With that said, there’s hope.

There are steps you can take to really take charge of your camping trip and get your best sleep while camping. Keep reading to learn more!

Exercise during the day

Getting physical and moving around can really tire you out, exercise can help you sleep for various reasons:

• It can relieve stress and anxiety
• It tires you out and makes your body want more sleep
• Exercising outside can help set your sleep-wake cycle. This sleep-wake cycle tells your body when it should be alert and when it should rest.

With so many different activities to do when camping, it’s limitless what you can do to exercise during the day. You could swim, throw the ball around, even go on a hike, it’s up to you to decide!

Get as comfortable as possible

It’s no secret camping can get uncomfortable. Between the uneven ground you set your tent on, or the lackluster self-inflating air mattress you set up. It's by no means a “luxury” sleep.

But here’s the good news, you can take steps both before your camping trip and during your trip to create the most comfortable sleeping environment possible. Here are a few ways you can make your sleep comfortable:

• Pack your favorite pillow
• Set up your tent on a flat surface
• Use a comfortable air mattress along with your favorite sleeping bag
• Pack an air mattress repair kit in case there’s a leak or a hole
• Make sure the gear you pack is warm enough for the location you’ll be camping in

The goal is to simulate a sleeping environment that’s really no different from what you’re used to.

Use a mattress for camping, make sure to pack blankets for you and other campers. And if you’re air mattress has a leak make sure you know how to patch it and keep some kind of patch kit with you.

Relax, unwind and follow a regular nighttime routine

Keeping up with the same routine you do before sleep while camping can help you fall asleep easier. When you perform the same activities every night before bed, your brain begins to see those activities as a precursor to sleep.

It can also act as a great way to help you unwind and relax before bed. Planning your day for tomorrow, reading a book, meditating, stretching, or even listening to some music are great activities you can mix into your nighttime routine.

You could even integrate some of the best things camping has to offer. Try relaxing to the crackling sounds of a campfire before bed, or gaze at the stars to help you relax!

It’s also wise to go to bed at the same time every night. This might be difficult to do on a camping trip. But going to bed at the same time and waking up at the same time every day, even while camping, can help maintain the timing of your body’s internal clock. This can help you fall asleep easier.

Between exercise, comfortability, and relaxation, you can set yourself up for an amazing sleep when camping. Make sure to save this article or share it with a friend. You never know when you or someone you know, may need a reminder of steps you can take to have a great sleep while camping.