You never sleep as well as in the fresh air. If you think ahead, you can also ensure that you are rested and sleep well. Here are some of my tricks.
Start at a reasonable level (perhaps on the balcony)
Should you choose a tent, hammock, sleep under the open sky or in a wind shelter? If you have never slept outside, start by sleeping in a wind shelter or tent, then you are more protected from wind and precipitation if the weather changes during the night. In the beginning, it’s also smart to sleep close to your home or car – so you can go home to bed if you don’t feel comfortable. If you are unsure, perhaps you have a balcony or terrace that you want to try sleeping outside on first.
Get equipment – without breaking the bank
What equipment do you need then? There is often talk about the gadgets in particular, and the biggest myth about outdoor life is that you need the latest and coolest stuff. I usually say that the best equipment is the one that is used. If you want to invest in something important, buy a really good sleeping bag – if you take care of it properly, you can have it for almost the rest of your life. You can often find sleeping mats quite cheaply, and here it makes more sense to have two simpler/cheaper ones instead of one really expensive one. There are also more and more companies that offer equipment rental – perfect if you don’t go out very often or want to try before buying something expensive.
Protect yourself from the elements
Many people often choose the Instagram-friendly place to sleep, but skip a flashy picture for a good night’s sleep. Choose a sheltered place to sleep. If it is very windy, make sure you find shelter from the wind. Check the weather forecast and choose a night when the weather is stable and you will give yourself good conditions for a nice first night out. Adjust your plans according to precipitation, temperature and wind.
Change your clothes before you go to sleep – even your underwear
It may seem illogical to take off and change when you’re cold, but…. The moisture from the clothes you wore during the day makes it feel cold. Put on a dry undergarment instead. It is easy to “dress up”; if you have too many clothes, the sleeping bag will not warm as well. Rather put a warm jacket or blanket over your shoulders or hips if you are cold.
Use two sleeping mats to insulate better
You often hear air insulates and it’s true! The cold and the moisture comes from below, so you need to stop it from going through. I find that a reindeer skin keeps the moisture away while keeping you warm the best. If you don’t have any, prefer something else or are out on a longer trip, it works well with an old, honest sleeping pad and then something inflatable on top.
Make your own element
End the evening snuggle by boiling water and pouring into a heat-resistant water bottle. Put it in the sleeping bag and you have an element for many hours. If the water is too hot, wrap the bottle in a t-shirt to avoid burning yourself.
Replenish your energy
In order for the body to be able to keep warm throughout the night, it is good to fill up with energy before going to bed, preferably something warm to drink. Tea and Coffee are diuretics so I only drink lukewarm water.
Remember to pee before you go to sleep so the body doesn’t have to spend unnecessary energy on needing to pee.
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