How to Stay Cool in Bed
Everyone knows that getting a good night’s sleep on a regular basis is essential for waking up relaxed, refreshed, and ready to take on the day. If you’re like most people, however, falling and staying asleep on hot summer nights can be challenging, especially when the humidity is high, the air is still, and the bedroom isn’t air-conditioned. While summer brings us sunshine, longer days, vacations, and beach days, it also comes with those hot summer nights, which is not ideal for a good night’s sleep. The National Sleep Foundation typically recommends room temperatures between 60 and 67 degrees for sleeping.
What Happens When It's Too Hot To Sleep?
A recent study published in the journal One Earth, tracked 48,000 sleepers and found that on nights where the temperature creeps up over 86 degrees Fahrenheit, most sleepers lost sleep. The average sleep loss was 14 minutes. That 14 minutes may not seem like a lot, but it means that a sleeper is having their REM sleep interrupted or cut short. REM is the vital phase of sleep where your brain processes the information it gained during the day which is necessary for brain function. Good sleep quality and feeling rested the next day relies on getting a good amount of REM sleep. A hot night can greatly upset sleep quality by interrupting that REM sleep.
How to Beat the Heat
There are some simple steps you can take to make summertime sleeping more comfortable. Installing a ceiling fan or using one or more portable fans will keep the air within the bedroom circulating. Placing a fan in front of an open window will draw the hot air from the sleeping area and push it outside. If your bedroom has a ceiling fan, set it to rotate counterclockwise and turn the speed on high. This will force the hot air down and create a slight wind chill effect as it flows over the body. If your house has a shady side, open the windows in the morning to let the cool air in until the sun hits this side of the house. Close all windows and keep the blinds drawn as the day begins to heat up and the outside air becomes hotter than the air within the house. Doing this will help hold down the temperature inside the house. Open the windows at night if the temperature outside falls lower than the temperature inside. Other measures include avoiding sleepwear made from polyester, since they will retain heat and moisture, causing a long, already restless night to be even more uncomfortable. Light cotton, linen and other breathable materials are far better choices for summertime sleeping. Taking a cold shower or soaking in a cool bath just before going to bed can also help reduce the body’s core temperature, which will make it easier to fall and stay asleep.
Keep Your Sleep System Cool
Sleeping on the right mattress and using the right pillows can also help keep you comfortable on hot summer nights. Technological advances in recent years have resulted in the development of new textiles and materials used to construct mattresses and pillows that are comfortable, provide the right amount of support and help sleepers keep cool on warm nights. Here are just a couple of very cool products to keep you cool!
Cooling Pillow
Your head is one of the parts of your body most susceptible to over-heating and its temperature can affect how your whole body feels. A cooling pillow is a great way to keep that noggin’ cool. The Hybrid Infinity Cooling Pillow is an excellent choice for a cooling pillow. Its cool-touch fibers offer a cool sensation as soon as you make contact. Soft, ventilated memory foam provides support and air flow all night long.
Cooling Shams
Why stop at just a cooling pillow when the materials around your pillow affect its temperature as well? The PureCare Cooling Sham comes in reversible mineral fiber-based cooling fabrics on one side and chill bamboo on the other. It’s cool to the touch and looks sleek too!
Cooling Duvet Cover
Naturally, the textiles that you put over your body when you sleep will impact your temperature. A cool, breathable duvet cover is necessary to ensure your sleep system is as cool as possible. Made from refreshingly cool FRíO® / TENCEL™ Lyocell fabric and bamboo rayon, the PureCare Cooling Duvet Cover is a highly breathable and lux edition to any sleep set.
Mattress and Pillow Protectors
Mattress and pillow protectors are hugely important in keeping your bedding clean but they can also be a vital tool in keeping your bedding cool. The PureCare Frio Cool Pack fit around your mattress and pillows to protect them from dust mites and allergens. But not only that, its unique tunneling fibers create additional air flow around your bedding to keep the temperatures down under the sheets.
Keeping Cool Equals Good Sleep Health
How well you sleep depends on how cool you sleep. With all the options out there, you’re sure to find something that will keep your bed a fresh, crisp place to lay your head. Need help sorting through the options? Stop by a Sit N’ Sleep to talk to one our our experts.