better night sleep please

[bearman]

I have the warbonnet blackbird XLC and a top and under quilt and a good tarp. I hang it in accordance with all common wisdom. Everything is nice and comfortable. But I can't sleep! I'm not hot or cold. I can't think of what the heck is going on. I eventually fall asleep for brief periods of time only to wake up again to pee. I never have this problem at home, but in the hammock I'll go 2-3 times a night. Also my shoulders ache after a while. I know I got a lot going on here, but any ideas would be appreciated

[Paddles Down]

Are you struggling to sleep because your minds rolling constant thoughts? I have that happen occasionally and taking some vitamin B1 works wonders! A trick my mother taught me.

[johnspenn]

Is this after a day of hiking in the woods, out car camping, or in your back yard?

After a day of backpacking I find that I feel like I'm "hyper-aware" when I'm trying to sleep outside, hearing every noise and wakeful. However when I get up in the morning I feel rested and refreshed, like i did actually get some good sleep. How do you feel when you get up the next morning, and over the course of the next day?

One other issue may be the "first night in a strange place" syndrome. It's been documented that people don't sleep as well in unfamiliar places.

Benadryl before hammock-time is an option, or melatonin, or an adult beverage of your choice (but not too much lol). Good luck!

[Five Tango]

Maybe its all the additives like msg and salts in your prepackaged meals or maybe caffeine?

[<-Pointer]

Or you're just trying to go to bed way earlier than you usually do at home? I always get a bit of "jet-lag" going from rat race time to hiker time (hiker midnight is 3 or 4 hours before rat race midnight.) You can impact the shoulder squeeze a lot by how you are laying in the hammock. Try getting you torso at more of a diagonal and maybe more towards the center of the hammock. Took me many night to figure out what's comfortable for me.

[<-Pointer]

Also don't accept that "common wisdom" will work best for you just because it does for other people. Play around with it! Try changing sides, how high you're sitting, the hammock angle, head and foot height, ridgeline length, etc. I find that I actually sleep best with my foot side elevated about 6" above the head and then sliding a little higher in the hammock. It'll take some practice to see what's best for you. Keep at it - it's worth it!

[bjornivan]

Earplugs? Works for me.

[TrailSlug]

Are you not sleeping due to the shoulder pain? If so have you tried a bridge hammock? Whiskey, wine, Benedryl, Lunesta, etc works very well till the trail wears you out.

[pgibson]

I need a little something to help me sleep for the first 2-4 nights. It can take your body a bit to get used to a different sleep environment. Even after a good day of hiking or fishing a Unisom, Melatonin, ZZZQuil, Tylenol PM or what not helps me drift off easier.

[Tim Pappy Case]

I have the warbonnet blackbird XLC and a top and under quilt and a good tarp. I hang it in accordance with all common wisdom. Everything is nice and comfortable. But I can't sleep! I'm not hot or cold. I can't think of what the heck is going on. I eventually fall asleep for brief periods of time only to wake up again to pee. I never have this problem at home, but in the hammock I'll go 2-3 times a night. Also my shoulders ache after a while. I know I got a lot going on here, but any ideas would be appreciated

I read from my luxury item, a small book, until I can't keep my eyes open any longer. Usually Aleve PM when sore too.