5 Ways to Improve Your Sleep in Your Rig

We all know that a good night’s sleep is important, whether at home or on the road. But it’s especially important during RV trips so that you can focus on safely driving when needed and on enjoying the rest of your time with friends and family. Just like at home, it can be difficult to get that perfect eight hours of sleep with no interruptions while in your rig, but you can try! With a few adjustments to your routine, you can be on your way to sleeping like a baby.

Here are five simple ways you can improve your sleep in your RV:

• Choose your camp site wisely – Noise detracts most people from getting restful sleep. Avoiding noisy campsites may not be an issue if you primarily boondock, but it could be if you’re staying in a campground. Typically, sites that are near the entrance, roads, pool, recreation and other facilities at a campground are going to be the noisiest, even when things should have calmed down for the day. So, when you arrive at a campground, look for sites that are toward the back of the park or on a cul-de-sac or loop, as those spots will likely be the quietest.
• Upgrade your mattress – RVs typically come with mattresses, but they are basic and leave much to be desired. Upgrading your mattress to a more substantial one can give your body, neck, and back the proper support it needs while sleeping. If buying another mattress isn’t an option, you could add extra padding, such as an egg crate pad or a memory foam mattress topper, to your existing mattress as an alternative. Also, bringing the pillows you sleep on every night at home can help ensure you get a good night’s rest.
• Keep the indoor temperature cool – You’ve probably experienced sleepless nights at home because of hot or cold temperature extremes and know how uncomfortable that can be. Temps can have the same effect on your sleep while in your rig, too. Of course, the room temperature at which you fall asleep most comfortably may vary, but according to the National Sleep Foundation, anywhere between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit is the optimal temperature for sleep. Just to be safe, make sure your RV’s AC unit and heater are working properly before your next trip!
• Limit electronics usage – As a society, we’ve become so attached to our phones and tablets and televisions that it’s common for many of us to do a final email check or social media post right before bed. But exposing yourself to the blue light of electronics at night can affect your sleep patterns. How? Blue light makes your brain think it’s daytime, so your brain will have even more trouble shutting down at night to rest. A good rule of thumb is to avoid electronics usage for at least one hour before bed.
• Block incoming light – In the same vein as blue light from electronics, light from outside your RV – whether natural or from streetlights or other sources – can also prevent you from sleeping soundly. If light bothers you when you’re trying to sleep, install blackout curtains in your bedroom or on any other windows through which a lot of light enters. Your bathroom vent may even be a spot where light comes in, so create a vent cover to block light at night. Another easy option is to use an eye mask while sleeping.

While you can implement the suggestions above and get on the path to a restful night’s sleep, you will ultimately have to figure out what works best for you. Try adjusting a few things in your routine and see what works. Want to learn more about sleeping comfortably in your RV? Contact us today!