Your guide to sleeping smart this festival season

Festival season is well and truly upon us, but with many of us flocking to the fields for a weekend of fun with our friends and family, sleep is perhaps not a main priority.

Regardless of which festival you go to, they are renowned for loud music into the early hours, plus uncomfortable, cramped sleeping environments, and of course – alcohol.

These certainly aren’t the ingredients for a good night’s sleep, but that doesn’t stop thousands of us heading to festivals all over the country, and even abroad, every summer.

However, if you’re going to do it, you may as well do it right… 

Tips for sleeping well at a festival 

• Choose the right campsite

Most festivals have more than one campsite, and they often have their own individual atmosphere. The livelier your campsite, the less likely you are to sleep well, so it’s worth doing your research before you pitch your tent. Family campsites tend to be quieter, so these might be an option if you’re looking for somewhere to rest properly.

• Pitch your tent on flat ground

Festival campsites aren’t usually in pristine condition – they’re essentially just fields. This means the surfaces are often uneven in places, which can hinder your chances of sleeping comfortably. Try and find as flat a pitch as possible, and make sure you clear away any litter before you put up your tent, as this can also make the ground feel bumpy to lie on. Your choice of sleeping mat can also play a big role – if you’re off to a festival soon, why not have a browse of Silentnight’s range here.

• Think about buying some earplugs and an eye mask

Earplugs and eye masks can be really beneficial when it comes to sleeping well at festivals. Campsites can often be noisy throughout the entire night, so earplugs can help block out the noise, while eye masks can stop you from being woken up by the early morning sunshine.

• Limit your alcohol

Everyone loves a drink at festivals, and nobody is saying that you shouldn’t – it’s all part of the fun. However, if you want to increase your chances of getting a quality night’s sleep, then it’s wise to limit how much you’re drinking. Excessive alcohol consumption reduces the quality of your sleep, leaving you feeling even more tired the following day.

• Power nap

If you feel like you’re flagging and there’s a band you just can’t miss later on in the day, there’s no shame in nipping back to your tent for a nap. This will leave you feeling refreshed, and allow you to make it through into the evening without feeling exhausted.

Silentnight’s resident sleep therapist, Dr Nerina Ramlakhan, believes the best time to take a nap is between 2pm and 4pm.

She said: “The power nap is typically 10-20 minutes, but there is also a type of nap called a ‘replacement’ nap, which is around 30-40 minutes. This is a very powerful nap to take if you’re feeling run down or exhausted.”

• Pick your sleeping bag wisely

Your sleeping bag choice is an important decision, and one you must get right. The last thing you need is to arrive back at your tent after a day filled with fun and dancing, to a sleeping bag that’s just not quite right.

If your festival is looming and you’re still looking for the perfect sleeping bag, why not shop the Silentnight range here.

Are you heading for the festival fields this summer? Get in touch and let us know how you’re preparing on our social media pages.