Sleep is important, especially when you are living in a van and touring around all day. But when you’re on the road, it can be hard to sleep well: maybe you’re in a noisy environment, your bed is too firm, or your partner snores.
Here are 11 tips for better sleep during your van life:
1. Have a good bed design
Having a comfortable, well-designed bed is one of the best ways to ensure you’ll get a good night’s sleep while living in a van. Here are a few tips for choosing or designing the perfect bed for your van:
- Choose the right size mattress: Make sure you choose a mattress that will fit comfortably in your van – you don’t want it to be too small or too big. A full or queen size mattress is usually ideal for most vans
- Opt for comfort: When it comes to mattresses, comfort should be your top priority. There are many different types of mattresses on the market, so take some time to find one that suits your needs and preferences. You may want to consider a memory foam mattress if you require extra support or have pain issues.
- Think about design: If you’re handy with tools, you can build your own bed frame from scratch. Or there are many ready-made bed frames and kits available online or at home improvement stores. Just make sure whatever design you choose allows easy access to all areas of your van (for example, if you’re using storage bins underneath). And if possible, try to elevate your bed off the ground – this will help keep things cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
2. Noise control
It’s no secret that van life can be pretty loud. Whether it’s the sound of your engine running, other vehicles driving by, or just general street noise, it can be tough to get a good night’s sleep. But there are a few things you can do to help reduce the noise and get some much-needed rest.
One of the best ways to reduce noise in your van is to invest in some good quality sound proofing materials. This can include things like acoustic foam panels, which are designed to absorb sound waves and reduce overall noise levels. You can also use thicker curtains or window coverings to help muffle any outside noise.
Another important thing to consider is where you park your van for the night. If you’re parked on a busy street, chances are you’re going to hear a lot of traffic noise throughout the night. Parking in a quiet residential area will help minimize these noises and give you a better chance at getting some peace and quiet.
Finally, make sure all your doors and windows are closed tight before going to bed. Even small cracks and openings can let in quite a bit of outside noise. By sealing up any potential openings, you’ll create an extra barrier against unwanted sound waves coming into your van.
3. Stress reduction
We all know how important a good night’s sleep is for our overall health and wellbeing. But when you’re living in a van, it can be difficult to get a restful sleep. There are so many things to worry about – where you’ll park for the night, whether you’ll be able to find a safe place to sleep, what if someone tries to break into your van… The list goes on.
To reduce you stress you can schedule some meditation or mindfulness session during the daytime. This will help you to clear your headspace before you go to sleep so that you can relax more easily.
The most important thing is to try and relax as much as possible before bed. Take some deep breaths, read a book or listen to calm music. Whatever helps you unwind and forget about the stresses of van life for a little while. With some practice, you should be able to get a good night’s sleep regardless of where you’re parked up for the night.
Related Link: Kev’s Vanlife and Travel Essentials
4. Have a good diet and nutrition plan
As someone who lives in a van, I can attest to the fact that having a good diet and nutrition is one of the best ways to have a good night’s sleep. When you’re living on the road, it’s easy to get into the habit of eating unhealthy convenience foods. However, this type of food will not only make you feel lousy, but it will also interfere with your sleep. Eating healthy meals and snacks that are packed with nutrients will help you sleep better at night.
If you’re having trouble sleeping in your van, there are a few dietary changes you can make that may help.
First, cut out or limit caffeine. Caffeine is a stimulant and can keep you awake at night.
Second, avoid eating large meals before bedtime. Eating a big meal right before bed can lead to indigestion and heartburn, which can keep you up all night long.
Finally, make sure you’re getting enough protein during the day. Protein helps promote relaxation and aids in muscle repair (which is important if you’ve been spending all day driving!).
5. Have a definite sleep schedule
Having a regular sleep schedule is one of the best ways to ensure you get a good night’s sleep while living in a van. When you first start van life, it can be easy to let your sleeping patterns become chaotic and all over the place. However, this will only lead to more nights of restless sleep and feeling tired during the day. Having set times for when you go to bed and wake up will help your body adjust and eventually fall into a deeper, more restful sleep.
Of course, sticking to a strict schedule isn’t always possible (especially if you like to stay up late or wake up early), but try your best to at least stick to some sort of general routine. This means going to bed and waking up around the same time each day. This helps in re-programming your body clock that has gone haywire due to the unpredictability that comes with van life.
6. Reduce screen time
Reducing screen time is one of the best ways to have a good night’s sleep in a van while doing van life. This means turning off all electronics at least 30 minutes before bedtime. You should also avoid using your laptop or phone in bed. If you must use your electronics before bed, use them at a dim setting and avoid blue light exposure. Instead of scrolling through social media or watching TV, try reading a book or listening to calm music to help you relax.
7. Have a camper van maintenance schedule
A proper camper van maintenance schedule is one of the best ways to have a good night’s sleep in a van while doing van life. By keeping your van in good repair, you can avoid many of the common problems that plague full-time travelers.
One of the most important aspects of maintaining your camper van is ensuring that all systems are in working order. This includes everything from the electrical system to the plumbing and gas lines. Regularly check all connections and hoses for leaks and damage. If you notice any problems, take care of them right away to prevent further damage.
It’s also important to keep your van clean both inside and out. Not only will this help it look its best, but it will also help you avoid pests and other health hazards. Sweep out your van regularly and vacuum any carpets or upholstery. In addition, regularly wash both the exterior and interior of your van with soap and water.
Taking care of your campervan will not only improve your camping experience, but it will also save you money in the long run by preventing expensive repairs down the road. So be sure to create and stick to a regular maintenance schedule for optimal results!
Related Link: Kev’s Vanlife and Travel Essentials
8. Avoid smoking
Smoking not only negatively impacts your health, but it can also keep you up at night. The nicotine in cigarettes is a stimulant, which means it can make it difficult to fall asleep. In addition, smokers are more likely to suffer from insomnia than non-smokers.
So, if you’re looking for ways to improve your sleep while living in a van, avoiding smoking is one of the best things you can do. There are plenty of other healthy habits that can help you get a good night’s sleep, but avoiding smoking is one of the most important.
9. Avoid large meals before bedtime
There are a few reasons why it is best to avoid large meals before bedtime when you are living in a van.
First, when you eat a big meal, your body has to work harder to digest all of the food. This can lead to indigestion and make it difficult to fall asleep. Additionally, eating late at night can cause GERD or acid reflux. This occurs when stomach acids come up into your esophagus and can be very painful. It can also make it difficult to sleep as you may be constantly waking up due to the pain.
Another reason why it is best to avoid large meals before bedtime is that they can give you nightmares. When you eat heavy foods before bed, your body has trouble processing them and this can lead to some pretty strange dreams! If you want to avoid having nightmares, stick with lighter fare before heading off to bed.
Of course, avoiding large meals before bedtime doesn’t mean that you have go hungry! There are plenty of snacks that will help you sleep well without being too heavy on your stomach.
10. Avoid taking any liquids
Avoiding taking any liquids before bed is one of the best ways to have a good night’s sleep in a van.
The reason for this is because when you drink fluids, your body has to process them, and this takes energy. If you drink fluids right before bed, your body will still be working on processing them when you’re trying to sleep, and this can lead to wakefulness and discomfort.
Plus, if you have to use the restroom in the middle of the night, it can be really tough to get back to sleep after waking up (especially if your van doesn’t have a very comfortable mattress).
So, if you want to avoid all of these potential issues, it’s best to simply avoid taking any liquids before bed. This way, you can relax and drift off into a deep and restful sleep without having to worry about anything interrupts your slumber.
11. Take a melatonin supplement
For those of us who live life on the road in a van, finding ways to get a good night’s sleep can be even more difficult than for those who live in a traditional home. But did you know that taking a melatonin supplement is one of the best ways to have a good night’s sleep while doing van life?
Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that helps regulate our body’s internal clock. It rises in the evening as it gets dark outside, making us feel sleepy. Levels of melatonin remain high throughout the night until it starts to wear off as dawn approaches. This natural rise and fall of melatonin help ensure that we get a good night’s sleep.
However, when we’re constantly on the move, our bodies can become confused about when it should produce melatonin. That’s where taking a supplement comes in handy. By taking melatonin before bed, we can help trick our bodies into thinking it’s time to wind down for the evening and get some rest.
In addition to helping us fall asleep more easily, melatonin has also been shown to improve the quality of our sleep by lengthening the time we spend in deep sleep (also known as REM sleep). This is especially beneficial for those of us who live an active lifestyle since deep sleep is when our bodies do most of their repairing and recovery.
The bottom line
Improving sleep has the most notable effect on your overall van life experience. It’s known that a good night’s sleep can help people make more informed decisions and be more productive during the day. Improving sleep is a guaranteed way to improve performance and enjoy the most out of your van life.
Related Link: Kev’s Vanlife and Travel Essentials
