Have you ever wondered what happens when you sleep on an uneven surface? What about when you can’t fall asleep due to surrounding noise, insects, or temperature changes? 

We’ve got the answers!

Sleeping On An Uneven Surface

When you're outdoors enjoying Mother Nature to the fullest, you’re not always sleeping on a cushy, memory foam mattress enveloped in the softest, purest Egyptian cotton one can find. Okay, so maybe that’s an over-exaggeration, but you get what we mean. 

When you sleep at a slight incline (3.5-5 degrees) you benefit from improved circulation. This is because the brain is detoxified through the glymphatic system when we sleep. 

When sleeping outdoors, the ground is at a much larger incline than 3.5-5 degrees. This can make it difficult for people to fall asleep, especially if it’s their first time sleeping at an unfamiliar angle. Even the best of us may struggle to fall asleep at an angle. Ultimately, this can lead to acute insomnia and leave you in a less-than-desirable mood for the duration of your trip. 

Avoid sleeping on an uneven surface by leveling your vehicle properly, with the Lynx Leveler (excuse the shameless plug). It’s designed to hold massive amounts of weight, so you and your campers can sleep in comfort.

Noise

You ain’t gonna sleep a wink when there’s noise buzzing about what should be your restful RV retreat. 

We hate to tell you, but during sleep, our brains continue to take in and process sounds. This affects bodily functions, such as blood pressure and heart rate, causing us to wake up from our sleep. 

High levels of noise are more likely to increase restlessness during sleep. This includes moving, twitching and shifting between the different stages of sleep, which can lead to dissatisfaction with your sleep, mood changes, and sleepiness the next day. D-U-H.

If you find yourself unable to have a good night’s sleep due to outside noise, we suggest the obvious: earplugs. If you’re not an earplugs-kinda-guy or gal, a white noise machine can work wonders as well. And if all else fails, you might just have to look for a quieter camping spot. Although, really, who doesn’t enjoy the sounds of nature?  

Temperature Fluctuations

When it’s too hot or cold, the discomfort from the temperatures can affect our ability to fall and stay asleep. When we go to sleep, the temperature our brains try to achieve (body temperature) goes down. So, if the surrounding environment is too hot or too cold, the body struggles to reach this temperature.

For extreme cold, the answer is pretty obvious: get blankets. Lots of them. A hot water bottle in bed (or in your sleeping bag) can work wonders as well. 

When it’s too hot, stay hydrated and invest in blackout curtains or shades that block out heat and sunlight. 

Remember, sleeping on an uneven surface, noise, and temperature fluctuations are just the name of the game when we go camping or RVing. We go because we enjoy the outdoors and, unfortunately, the outdoors can sometimes be quite predictable. 

Be prepared, enjoy the ride, and don’t forget your Lynx Levelers to at least help keep you level!