Home LivingWellnessSleep4 mistakes everyone makes when trying to sleep in the heatDon’t be that personWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Home LivingWellnessSleep4 mistakes everyone makes when trying to sleep in the heatDon’t be that personWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Don’t be that person
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Getty)
(Image credit: Getty)
It’s heatwave 2.0 in the UK, which is super news if you’ve been craving a barbecue, but not so great if you’re in need of a good night’s sleep. If your room feels like an oven, dropping off – and staying asleep through the night – is a particular challenge. Especially if you haven’t yet invested in one of thebest fansto take things down a few degrees. (For the avoidance of doubt, you definitely shouldn’t try and get into your fridge, like our hero image man. Quite aside from the inherent dangers, it’ll cost you a fortune at today’s energy prices.)
So what can you do to avoid a restless, sweaty night? To start with, make sure your bed isn’t causing the problem. Old or cheap memory foams can trap heat, while today’sbest mattressbrands are much more aware of the issue and have come up with advancements in materials to regulate temperature more effectively. However, there are plenty of quicker tricks you can employ to help keep you cool at night. There’s an art tohow to sleep when it’s hot, and not all of it is wholly intuitive. Here are 3 mistakes to avoid when trying to sleep in warm weather.
1. Taking a cold shower before bed
It seems counterintuitive, but resist the urge to try and cool yourself down with a cold shower before bed. “Taking a cold shower or bath can actually be counterproductive as when our body is submerged in extremely cold conditions it tries to regulate our core temperature,” saysDrench’s Dominic Lees-Bell. “This means you could actually feel hotter than you did before you tried to cool down.”
In fact – stick with us – you want to do the opposite. Multiple sources say that the best tactic is to take a hot bath before bed. This stimulates the body’s thermoregulatory system, increasing bloodflow throughout our body and helping release heat and decrease body temperature.
2. Napping in the sun
Warm weather can make you feel lethargic, because your body is using energy to regulate your internal temperature. It can be tempting to have a quick doze while you’re chilling out on your deckchair. Do not do this. It’ll only make things more challenging when it comes to falling asleep at night – save your sleepiness for bedtime.
3. Abandoning your bedtime routine
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4. Opening your windows in the day
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