Ultra-Hyper Minimalist Traveling Tip: Making the most of sleeping in the car
A few simple steps can help to ensure that your night in the car is a good night’s rest.
#1 – Don’t be lazy.
Take the time to move things around in the car. If you have things in the back seat preventing your seat from reclining all the way, take 5 minutes and move them. If you’ll be more comfortable in the back seat or the passenger seat, move.
You’re probably going to need a blanket or sweater before the night is through. Have them nearby or you’ll end up disturbing your sleep to get them later, or, worse, waking up and deciding to tough it out.
Buy a windshield sunshade for your privacy and protection. Put valuables away. People are much less likely to break in and steal things they can’t see.
If possible, keep a cell phone nearby.
#2 – Go to bed.
Follow your normal routine. Put on your pajamas, brush your teeth, and listen to the radio or read a book. If you pass out in your jeans and sweatshirt you’re going to get about as good of sleep as if you passed out drunk on your friend’s wooden floor.
Go to the bathroom before you go to bed.
#3 – Location, location, location.
Nothing interrupts a night’s sleep quite like paranoia. Find a good spot to sleep where you’ll feel safe. It’s worth sacrificing ideal light and noise conditions for safety.
Stores that are open 24 hours are a great option. There’s normally lots of lights, plenty of people nearby and sometimes even security. Since you could be inside the store shopping at 3 a.m., no one has any grounds to ask you to leave.
If there’s no 24 hour store nearby, find a well-lit strip mall with a coffee shop. Coffee shop employees go into work as early as 4 a.m. and might be able to help if someone is stabbing you.
Whatever you do, people and lights (although annoying) are good signs.
If you’re going to be in a city for more than one night, it’s best to sleep in a different place each night or at least in a different spot in the parking lot.
With a little forethought and preparation a night in the car can be just as restful as a night in a cheap motel.
However, sleeping in the car will take a few nights to get used to.
The first night will probably be restless. You’ll be uncomfortable, paranoid, annoyed and miserable. But, since you know it’s going to happen, suck it up and get over it.
The second night will be equally as uncomfortable but you’ll be so exhausted from not having slept the night before that it won’t be a problem. You’ll get great sleep but might be a little stiff the next morning.
By the third night your body will adjust. You’ll sleep peacefully and comfortably. By the third night you’re no longer sleeping in your car, you’re just sleeping.
Sweet dreams.