Basking in the sun all day is great, but no one wants to be baking in their bed at night. Many people have trouble sleeping when it’s too hot outside. If the AC isn’t cooling you down enough at night (the ideal room temperature is 65-68 degrees Fahrenheit), you may want to read these tips below.
1. Go cotton
Sheets with natural fibers, like cotton, are the best at keeping you cool at night. Although luxurious high-thread-count sheets sound enticing, the National Sleep Foundation recommends a thread count of 200 to 400. It turns out, the tighter the weave, the less breathable the sheets will be.
2. Switch off
Electrical sockets give off a surprising amount of heat. Turning off all the plug sockets can help reduce excess heat (and will save energy!)
3. Stay low
Remember, heat rises. If you can’t get comfortable in your bed, sleep on the floor or downstairs. Maybe better, try a mattress with dynamic cooling – they can go as low as 55 degrees Fahrenheit!
4. Close your curtains
If there’s a heat wave, it is important to close your curtains and blinds during the day. This is pretty self-explanatory, but blocking light from coming in can help keep your room from overheating.
5. Rinse your wrists
Washing your wrists with cold water or rubbing them with an ice cube before you hit the hay can help you cool down. Cooling your pulse points gradually cools you down by slowing the blood to that area of your body, thus stopping your body from overheating.
6. Watch what you drink
Boozing before bed is never a good idea, but you should especially avoid it on hot summer nights. Alcohol disrupts sleep and dehydrates. When it’s unbearable hot out, it is imperative that you stay hydrated. Keep a cold glass of water by your bed. A cold sip can work wonders when you’re overheating.
7. Take a cold shower
If you can’t bring town the temperature in your room, bring down your body temperature. Taking a cold shower will help drop your body temp a few degrees. Slipping into bed when you’re nice and clean will also help you drift off to sleep.
8. Go solo
Sorry lovebirds, but sleeping with a partner will increase the overall heat in your bed. If you’re sleeping alone, try snoozing in the spread eagle position, which is best for reducing body heat and letting air circulate around the body.
Summer heatwaves can significantly disrupt sleep. At Eight Sleep, we aim to help you sleep better, even in the hottest weather. If you have a Nest thermometer, connect it with your Eight app and set your room to the best temperature for your sleep.
