by Aaron Grayson

Created on: February 25, 2009

I toss and turn all night long when I'm sleeping on a soft fluffy mattress, but put me on the cold hard ground with a sleeping bag and I'll sleep like a baby. It always surprises me to listen to people who complain that they don't like camping because they can't get a good night's slep. They complain that the crickets are too loud, that they're frightened of bears and other wild animals, and that they do not have the luxuries of home to comfort them.

Being able to get a good night's sleep while camping is in the blood. Either you have it in you, or you don't. Most people simply cannot appreciate the simplicity of camping, the closeness to the earth and the bonding with Mother Nature. Instead, they worry about bugs and animals and having an overstuffed pillow.

You will never be able to get a good night's sleep while you are camping unless you have grown to love and appreciate the outdoors. Without these things, a person will be too tense, too uptight, and too uncomfortable to sleep a wink.

If you don't have this camping bug in your blood, the the best way to get a good night's sleep is to make your surroundings as familiar as possible. Instead of a sleeping bag, bring along your pillow and blanket from home. Bring your radio or your alarm clock, or anything that will make you feel like you are in the comfort and safety of your own bedroom rather than in the wilderness.

A good night's sleep is also easier to come by if you have physically exerted yourself during the day. Taking a nice long hike, chopping firewood, or spending a few hours swimming are great ways to burn off excess physical and emotional energy. On the other hand, if you spent all afternoon lying in a hammock and sipping lemonade, it is probably going to be hard to fall asleep at bedtime.

Some people just aren't able to sleep in unfamiliar surroundings. It doesn't matter how many sheep they count, how many walks they take, or how comfortable their pillows are. While it is probably not a good idea to take heavy duty sleeping pills in this situation, a low-strength sleep enhancing supplement just may do the trick. Melatonin tablets, for example, are good sleeping aids because they are natural and they are not habit forming. One tablet taken 30 minutes before bedtime usually does the trick. There are many over the counter sleep aids that can work in this situation. Herbal teas are also great natural ways to relax the body and mind, making sleep easier.

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