Sleep is restorative. It’s an essential part of good mental and physical health. When you’re able to sleep well, you wake up feeling rested and ready to tackle the day. You can do anything you put your mind to when you feel like you’ve had enough sleep.

It can be difficult adjusting to life in the Great Outdoors if you’re not camping a lot throughout the year. That’s why it’s important to do what you can to make your tent or RV as comfortable as possible. Doing so allows you to enjoy the camping experience fully and eliminates many of the health problems attributed to lack of sleep.

Here is how to get a good night’s rest while camping:

Invest in a sleep sounds machine.

If you have access to electricity, listen to the sweet sounds of nature via an electronic device or app on your smartphone. Although nothing beats the real sounds of owls hooting and brooks bubbling, you’ll need to be able to drown out the sounds of other campers in the area. Just a few minutes of listening to the machine can help relax your body enough to sleep.

Try to stick to your normal sleep schedule as closely as possible.

Your camping life may closely resemble your home life. If it does, you won’t have much of an issue falling asleep and staying asleep. If you find that camping is a whirlwind of activity that has you feeling worn out mid-afternoon, do what you can to enforce a regular bedtime. That way, you can prepare your brain to shut down for the evening even if your body is on high alert.

Make sleep a priority while camping. By making your campsite feel like your home away from home, you’ll have no problem getting the rest that you need to remain healthy. Following the advice listed above helps you better prepare your sleeping area and your mind for nights of restful slumber.