Do you enjoy sleeping outdoors? Our pace of life, responsibilities, and electronic devices combine to make getting a good night’s sleep a challenge. Could the secret to a good night’s sleep be returning to nature? You might be surprised by the benefits of camping in nature or glamping in your backyard. Improved sleep and a sense of well-being await!
How good sleep improves your health
Poor sleep quality contributes to a host of consequential health problems. Chronic lack of quality sleep can lead to weight problems, heart problems, and cognitive deficits. Consistent good sleep refreshes the body, supports the brain’s natural repair, helps maintain healthy blood pressure, and offers other benefits.
Besides the pace of our obligations, exposure to artificial light, especially right before going to bed, disrupts our body’s circadian rhythm, making quality sleep difficult.
Sleeping outdoors, preferably with minimal to no artificial light and surrounded by natural sounds, supports your body’s rest and recovery. If your body’s clock sets properly, you’ll feel more rested and be more alert the next day.
Camping vs. glamping: choosing your comfort level
Your outdoor sleeping choices vary by accommodation level and duration.
Are you the type who enjoys roughing it? Is tent camping in the woods with a campfire your way to unwind? Camping may be a once-in-a-while adventure when you can get away to a state park.
Maybe you’d prefer the benefits of the fresh air combined with the comfort of a real bed with covers. You can try a backyard glamping setup, such as a yurt with a bed, an overhead canopy, and mosquito netting. You can even run a fan using an extension cord from the house.
Safety tips for sleeping outdoors
There are important considerations for your safety:
- Make sure a campfire is safely contained in a pit away from nearby brush or grass.
- Use mosquito netting, protective clothing, and tick-repelling sprays.
- If camping in a remote area, zip your tent flap at night or sleep elevated from the ground to prevent raccoons or snakes from entering your sleeping area.
- Don’t set up camp in low areas near streams or creeks where upstream rains could send a flash flood your way.
Related – How to Get a Great Night’s Sleep
