Van Life: 6 Top Sleeping Hacks for a Good Night's Rest

If you know me, you know how enthusiastic I can be. I get excited about life on the road and all my little discoveries, and sometimes my mind is so active that I have trouble turning it off and winding down long enough to fall asleep.

Van life sleeping is one of the most crucial aspects of van life, which may be a bit surprising to a beginner.

Today, I want to share my best tips to transform a multifunctional space that serves as an office, a kitchen, a living area, into a cozy sanctuary for a good night's rest.

1. Figure it out first

Wherever you are and whatever you are planning to do, always figure out where you plan to stay for the night. It is a simple thing that helps reduce anxiety by a lot. It is best to have several options just in case your first choice or ideal spot is taken, or if you get there and something just doesn't feel right.

There are many apps out there for finding sites. iOverlander and Campendium are the ones that I find most useful. You can open the app and it will show you the area where you are and choices for a stay in that area. Some sites are free and some have a fee.

You can just click on the options that you like and it will give you more details. I usually look for places that seem quiet and a little out of the way to avoid being harassed or having too many people around. I always make sure to look for sites that have good reviews.

When I am entering a new state or an area that I am not familiar with, I will usually look for a welcome center and then go in there and ask the people at the front desk what their advice is for a place to stay in the area. They usually are pretty good resources, especially if they are campers or van lifers or they are local to the area.

Ideally, you want to get to the place you chose before dark, so start the process early enough so that you can do that. Sometimes it is just not possible, so in that case I usually resort to my go-to options like a truck stop or rest area or a Walmart parking lot, as those are the places where I feel safe, and then I just go to the site that I was planning on in the morning. Believe me, it is much less creepy than getting there at night.

2. Bed set-up

I find that the better I set things up, the easier it is for me to relax. Whether I am planning to stay somewhere for a while or just going to be there overnight, it is always good to have a routine that is relatively simple and a setup that is quick and easy.

3. Tidy up space

It also helps me to tidy up my space first so that it is more conducive to rest. It is worth it to me to take a few extra minutes to clean up the dishes, fold my clothes, and generally just put everything in its place again.

It also has the added benefit of ensuring that if I need to move quickly in the middle of the night for some reason, I am ready to do so without things falling all over the place.

After I clean up the space if it is cold outside I usually turn on my van and heat it up for a little bit while I am changing my clothes and getting my blankets ready for a good night's sleep. I really sleep so much better when my place is cozy and clutter-free.

4. Ventilation

Something else to remember for a good sleep is ventilation. I use fans to circulate the air and usually crack open the window just a little bit to let some fresh air in.

My van is not exactly airtight, which has been good for me, since it never gets too stuffy and I do not get a lot of condensation built up. I am amazed at how much better I sleep with cool fresh air as long as it is not freezing.

5. Block outside light

I invested in these blackout curtains and I made my window coverings. Both of these keep out street lights if I am in a parking lot, as well as the sunbeams in the early morning.

I also bought a windshield umbrella that folds up very tight. It is easy to set up and I usually do that right when I get to a place so that I have privacy.

To add even more privacy at night, I shut the curtains too, and it helps insulate the area, too.

6. Limit screen use

This is definitely a hard one, but it has really made a difference. When I am out in nature, it is easier for my body to adjust to the sun going down as its signal to also start winding down.

Lately, rather than going inside my van in the evening and getting on my phone, I try to get all of my last minute work done before the sun goes down, so that I am not tempted to get that blue light exposure before bed.

When I am with friends, we usually sit around the campfire, which is also very soothing and helps to get your mind in a more relaxed state.

Something else that has been great is listening to podcasts or audio books rather than actually reading or watching something on the screen. I can close my eyes and just listen and not have to use my eyes or strain them in any way.

Often, I just drift into sleep without even realizing it. If I do choose to watch something, I usually dim the screen really low so that it is not disrupting my brain too much.

Van life sleeping

I hope that these tips have helped you reach better sleep in your van. If you have struggled with this as well, feel free to share whatever has helped you in the comments. Sweet dreams!

Next, check out my Top Nomad Hacks From the People Living Their Best Van Life.