BEFORE YOU LEAVE, PLAN FOR THE EXPECTED WEATHER AND TEMPERATURES AND TAKE THE APPROPRIATE GEAR and CHECK THERE ARE NO WATER SEAL DEFECTS especially in the floor and the fly
you need to be able to trust your gear will keep you warm and dry
double check you have everything you need - and especially the correct poles for the tent - it's easy to get them mixed up or forgotten!
if in doubt, use a small lightweight tarp under your inner tent and clamped to its corners so rain does not get between it and your inner tent
choose a camp ground you feel safe in
the far majority of campers will be there to help you if needed as long as you are respectful and friendly, but if you feel uneasy about a camp ground (a very hot night with lots of drunk strangers is probably not the best place to be as aggressive disputes can arise between camps quite easily) then perhaps try a different one - no point spending the night worrying!
consider sleeping in your own tent
sleeping with a restless fellow camper, especially one who snores or is constantly making noise turning over on a noisy air mat, is not conducive to a good night's sleep!
if sleeping with someone, ensure your tent has a door on each side so one can exit without disturbing the other
choose a safe, sheltered and comfortable camp site
if you are camping alone, consider camping relatively close to other campers as this will generally increase your feeling of safety from external threats
make sure your head is not lower than your body - choose your slope wisely!
if it is a windy night:
choose a sheltered spot with minimal risk of branches or trees falling and reduced risk of dust being blown into the tent
ensure your tent is pitched well and storm guy ropes tightened as appropriate
closing the fly fully will increase tent strength and reduce wind noise from parts flapping
avoid caffeine at least 6hrs before sleep
avoid alcohol intake - yes it may help you get off to sleep but it destroys REM sleep, increases snoring, and you tend to wake up during the night and not be able to get back to sleep
avoid high adrenaline levels before bed
avoid bright lights / smartphones / laptops / etc 1 hour before bed - where possible use red lights as this will maximise your night vision and not disrupt your sleep clock
avoid drinking fluids 1 hour before bed as you will end up with a full bladder and have to get up in the cold and possibly wet night to empty it
ensure you pass urine just before going to bed
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pitch the tent with consideration for expected wind directions to minimise wind chill by using your vestibules and windows well.
have a comfortable, thermally insulated sleeping pad, that is not too noisy when you move and is relatively wide so your knees and arms will fit
self-inflating foam mats are generally nicer albeit heavier and bulkier than the ultra-compact hiking inflatables which tend to be very noisy and too narrow
tip: use a thin foam mat under your air mattress to provide more insulation, more protection from puncture of air mattress by pine needles, etc and reduces your mattress from sliding around on a slippery tent floor. Ideally should weigh < 100g, and be about 1.8m x 50cm which will allow folding to about 50x28cm which should fit into most medium to large backpacks and will add an extra R0.8 to insulation
these have additional uses such as cushion or sleeping pad for midday naps on hikes when tent is not set up or as a yoga mat
eg. Gossamer Gear Thinlight Foam Pad - 1/8“
you could use an expensive Thermarest Z lite sleeping mat which is R 1.7 but it is much heavier at 410g and MUCH thicker, packing to 51x13x14cm but for some this may suffice instead of an air mattress for when it is not cold
sleep in the least amount of clothes that will keep you from getting cold as you would when you are home - you don't want to get hot and sweaty and clothes are restrictive
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as it gets colder you may want to add a layer or two during the night
don't sleep in your dirty socks or underlayer (eg. thermal top/longjohns) you have just hiked in - have a clean warm pair of socks and underlayer reserved for sleeping
following are guides to sleeping naked so you can more easily ascertain needs with or without clothing:
if temperatures are more than 23-25degC - sleep naked with adequate air flows (eg. mainly mesh tent if there is no breeze) otherwise you will be too warm
if temperatures are 20-23degC - sleep naked with a satin sheet covering you
if temperatures are 16-20degC - sleep naked with a summer rated quilt (or cheap sleeping bag opened to a quilt) to cover or wool blanket or both
if temperatures are 10-16degC - wear head and neck protection, a long sleeve top, warm socks and a warmer quilt or sleeping bag opened as a quilt
if temperatures are 5-10degC - in addition to the above, wear thermal long johns or trackies and a thin merino jumper and a warm beanie / scarf
it helps if your 2P tent is full fabric inner rather than mesh to keep the warmth in better while small vents near the top reduce condensation
eat some nuts before going to bed - digestion creates heat
if temperatures are 0-5degC, in addition to the above you need a warmer sleeping bag or multiple layers or an electric banket
ensure you are protected from insects and other creatures
have a comfortable pillow - rolled up clothing doesn't quite cut it
organise your gear so you know where to find it in the dark - especially your headlamp!
avoid very noisy cheap polyethylene tarps if possible - but polyester instead if you need a tarp
consider using adjuncts to reduce sensory inputs overnight: