Sleep tips for hot summer nights

With summer in full swing and holidays starting, here are our hints and tips on keeping cool and sleeping a little better on those long, hot nights.

Ditch the duvet

Sleeping under a duvet – even one with a low tog rating – will only make you hot, so instead swap to a thin cotton sheet. Try to avoid going commando, for example sleeping without any pyjamas or bedding on you, as this can make it hard for your body to regulate its temperature.

Keep it chilled

For the ultimate refreshing and cool hit, consider folding your bed sheet and popping it in a zip lock bag (where it will stay nice and dry) and store it in the freezer for a few hours before you go to bed. Then, when you’re ready to hit the hay, simply take it out and place it on your bed for an instant burst of coolness.

Goodbye sunshine

If the weather forecast shows it’s going to be a really hot day then make sure you keep the sun at bay by keeping your curtains or blinds shut. This will help to stop your room from overheating too much.

The natural way

Just like clothes, some man made fabrics can make your body overheat – the same is true for your bedding and your bed. Choosing the right fillings in your bed and bedding can help regulate your body’s temperature to keep your cooler at night. Natural, sustainable fibres promote healthy air flow and wick away moisture, ideal for getting that perfect night’s rest.

Ice, ice, baby

Create a makeshift ice pack that won’t leave you or your bed feeling damp. Take a hot water bottle, half fill it with water and pop it in the freezer for a few hours. Then, once it has frozen, simply take the cool bottle to bed with you to help keep your temperature low.

Keep those windows closed

It might sound strange, but opening up your windows lets the hot air and sunshine in. Your bedroom should be your sanctuary and a cool atmosphere is ideal for this, so if you’re in need of a cool breeze and mother nature isn’t providing one, place a bowl of ice in front of a fan so that the air can blow over it, circulating a fresh hit around your room.

Switch off

Turn off any heat-generating lights or appliances unless you absolutely need them. Incandescent lights in particular, generate more heat than you might think, and this trick will help to keep your bedroom from getting even hotter.

Ban the booze

Drinking alcohol before bed can really impact your sleep, especially when it’s hot. It can also dehydrate you, so make sure you drink plenty of water and have a nice cool glass to hand at the side of your bed.