Feeling stiff while camping? Try these easy tricks to stay limber!

We’ve all experienced this from time to time: waking up in the woods feeling like all your muscles and joints are made out of cement 😆. We’re here to provide you with alternatives so it doesn’t have to be that way! Sleeping on the ground isn’t the only culprit when you wake up stiff or in pain. Here are a few tips for keeping your body feeling limber and mobile while camping! 

Sleeping surface

The surface that we sleep on will dictate the position and support that our spine has. Having an uncomfortable sleeping surface can lead to low back pain, shoulder pain, hip pain, and even neck pain. When choosing a place to set up camp, try to find level ground. Clearing the ground of any big rocks or sticks can also help. An appropriate sleeping pad will additionally play a huge role in how your spine feels after a night of sleeping on the ground! You typically want a sleeping pad that keeps you off of the ground. Back sleepers usually need less loft/support than side sleepers. 

Pillow

If you experience neck pain or shoulder pain while camping, sleeping with a pillow can have a huge positive impact on how you feel. If you are backpacking or don’t have room for a regular pillow, try an inflatable one. For an ultra-lightweight option, put any extra clothing and/or a towel in a stuff sack as a makeshift pillow. 

Chair

Let’s face it, as we get older, sitting on the ground gets a little harder on our bodies! Having a chair to sit on while camping can help to stave off stiffness in your hips and low back. If you don’t have room in your setup for a chair, see if you can find a tall rock or log that will build you up off the ground. Your hips and back will thank you! 

Self-soft tissue release

This is a personal favorite of ours! Self-massage and trigger point release can be a great way to prevent muscles from tightening up and to reduce DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness). Lacrosse balls are small and easy to pack, and great for releasing stiff muscles like the iliopsoas, piriformis, and suboccipitals. If you want to go lightweight, try a lacrosse ball made out of cork or find a round rock to use for trigger point release. We like to find the tight/sore muscle and apply direct pressure to the point for 1-2 minutes, or until you feel the pain minimize. 

Stretch

Don’t forget to stretch! Static stretching is a great way to stave off muscle tension while camping. Hitting the big muscle groups like the hamstrings, quadriceps, calves, hip flexors, piriformis, and upper traps can down-regulate your nervous system and leave you feeling limber after a night of camping! Hold static stretches of each muscle group for 30 seconds to 1 minute. 

Conclusion

Camping doesn’t have to be a painful experience as long as you consider your sleeping surface, pillow, a chair, stretching, and soft-tissue release to stave off muscle tension while camping. Appeasing the big muscle groups like the hamstrings, quadriceps, calves, hip flexors, piriformis, and upper traps can make a world of difference.

Happy camping, y’all!