For many of us, there comes a time when we may find ourselves having to set up camp in our car overnight. Perhaps you’ve even been amping and ended up with a rain-soaked mattress. While you’re waiting for your mattress to dry out, it’s likely that you will need to sleep in your car.
Whether you’re on the road trip of a lifetime or have found yourself stranded in your car at night, it’s a good idea to know how to sleep in your car safely and comfortably. As you may have already experienced, sleeping in your car can be less than ideal for getting a good night’s sleep. So, is it possible to sleep in a car in comfort? Read on for expert tips to sleep in your car with comfort.
- Plan ahead
Ideally, you would never find yourself sleeping in your car unexpectedly. But, due to any number of factors such as bad weather, you could find yourself forced to suddenly spend the night in your car. So, plan ahead. Keep a kit in your car with basic sleeping supplies such as a travel pillow, sleeping bags, blankets and sun shades in the trunk ready for emergencies. If you have space in your car, you could even take along an inflatable mattress. If you choose this option, don’t forget to include a foot or electric pump for easier inflation.
- Pick your spot carefully
Parking with your windscreen closest to a wall or hedge makes it less likely that people will be looking into your car. Also, consider parking somewhere where you will have access to a public restroom during the night. Nothing makes sleeping in a car more uncomfortable than a full bladder.
- Ensure darkness and privacy
According to Matter Mattress, one of the most important things you need to think about is ensuring your privacy. The last thing you want is strangers (or curious wildlife) peering in at you while you sleep. Also, you’ll sleep much more soundly in complete darkness and won’t be woken by the sun at the crack of dawn. Therefore you’ll want to cover your windows. An internal sun shade, or some towels or sheets, work well for this. However, be sure not to cover your windows from the outside. If you find yourself under threat, you want to ensure you are able to drive off quickly without leaving the vehicle to uncover windows.
- Lock up
The most important thing to ensure when sleeping in your car is your safety. Therefore, make sure that you lock your car doors from the inside before you nod off. After all, you won’t be able to sleep soundly of comfortably if you don’t feel secure.
- Recline the seats
In order to make yourself as comfy as possible, it’s a good idea to recline the seats so you can lie reasonably flat. Also, we all know how uncomfortable it is to sleep upright on a seat during a flight. So, you’ll be much better off on your back.
- Cover the sleeping surface
While you’re at it, cover the seat you’re going to sleep on with a blanket or even a beach towel if that’s what you have to hand. It can get pretty cold outside even in the summer, so you’ll be glad of the extra insulation.
- Consider an inflatable mattress.
If you’re able to put the back seats of your car down, or have a bench-style front seat, you may find sleeping on an air mattress a more comfortable option. These mattresses give much better support than a car seat and provide a better and more comfortable night’s sleep. If you’re unsure about how to choose a suitable air mattress for your car, then check out Matter Mattress for specialist advice.
- Keep yourself warm.
Sleeping bags are the ideal covering because they are designed to keep out the bitter cold at night. However, if you don’t have one to hand, you’ll have to improvise. The key here is to create layers to keep heat locked in. So, layer up blankets or even coats and towels to keep you toasty. Also, if you’re still cold, pop on some extra sweaters and socks.
- But….switch off that engine!
Even if you feel chilly, never go to sleep with the engine running in order to use the heating. This is extremely dangerous. However, it’s a great idea to warm the car up first using the heater and then switch off before you go to bed. Also, you can charge your devices to a degree, but be aware of the battery level on the car.
- Support your head
Ideally, you’d be sleeping on a much more supportive surface than a car seat. However, the most important part to support is your head and neck. Otherwise, you’ll really feel sore in the morning. Ideally, you’ll have a travel pillow in your emergency kit. If you don’t, you can make a makeshift one by rolling up a few sweaters or folding a blanket.
The last word
Hopefully, you now know how to sleep more comfortably in your car, either on a planned trip or in an emergency situation. Remember, your safety is paramount when sleeping outdoors in a car.
