Know How
DON’T LET THE CHIGGERS BITE. PHOTO: EMILY POLAR
Know How
[ EXPERT TIP ] Best. Night. Ever.
STOP TOSSING AND TURNING, SLEEP WELL WITH THESE TIPS
You might love an evening spent under the stars, but a night spent tossing and turning, checking your Timex every 15 minutes, can put a damper on your camping adventure. Too many sleepless nights will leave you slow, grouchy and a li- ability to your paddling mates. “A phenomenon called the first night effect compromises
our quality of rest on the first night in a new environment,” says Minnesota sleep specialist Dr. Courtney Whitney of the Whitney Sleep Center. “The exact cause isn’t known, but it may be a defense mechanism, increasing our awareness.” It’s not just your tent that creates this effect; any night in a new place, like the first night at a hotel or in a new bed, is likely to bring on sleeplessness. According to Whitney, unfamiliar environmental factors,
such as differences in temperature, comfort of sleeping sur- face, bug bites and unfamiliar sounds put your brain on high alert. “Even during sleep we are continually surveying our environment so we can readily respond to things, like a baby crying or a bear in camp,” he adds. So what can you do to ensure you have a restful night cos-
seted in the expensive sleep system you just purchased? The first step involves a little common sense: limit your ex-
pressos to your morning cuppa. Avoid other stimulants in the evenings, such as tobacco. Even just three alcoholic drinks can adversely affect your sleeping—and not just because you’ll have to get up in the middle of the night. Don’t pitch your tent on an angle or you’ll be sliding to one side all night. Avoid rocky and rooty spots that will leave you feeling like you’re sleeping on a bed of nails. If you sleep well at home, try to maintain some of your
sleep routines. If you always read before bed or have a glass of warm milk at home, do so while camping. If you usually sleep with white noise, camp beside rapids or in trembling aspens. A favorite pair of footie pajamas or a pillow from home can make a big difference too, allowing your mind to latch onto the familiar, relax and go to sleep. Just ignore the jeers of your tent mates. —Kaydi Pyette
www.canoerootsmag.com 29 © 2013 Wolverine World Wide, Inc.
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