Sleeping in hot weather can be difficult. High temperatures can lead to fragmented and disturbed sleep, and without the luxury of air conditions, many people can find themselves tossing and turning.
Sleep is integral to a person’s health and not getting enough can put a person in a bad mood and result in lack of focus.
If poor sleep continues the risk of serious medical conditions increases such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes.
But the UK is currently in the midst of a record summer heatwave, with temperatures of above 30C forecast to return in some parts of the UK this coming weekend.
So what can you do to ensure a cooler nigh’s rest?
James Cox, co-founder and CEO of sleep brand Simba, suggests reaching for your pillow for a quick fix.
He said: “Everyone loves that feeling of flipping your pillow over to the cold side.
“When the heat is unbearable and you’re getting a little clammy, don’t gorget to flip over and enjoy that momentary respite from the heat.”
Other tips from James include keeping your curtains and windows closed and having ice packs at the ready.
Keep your curtains and windows closed
James said: “Keep your windows and curtains closed throughout the day. This will stop the heat coming in and reduce the temperature of your room.
“Once the sun sets and the temperature drops, open them back up for a ‘slightly’ cooler breeze.”
Wear cotton
What you wear to bed has a huge effect on how well you sleep, according to James.
He explained: “Loose fitting, well-ventilated cotton pyjamas are the best option.
“Avoid synthetic materials that will cling to you at night. Cotton has moisture absorbing properties that will help keep the sweat from your body and ultimately allow for an improved level of comfort.”
Ice packs
Have ice packs at the ready to help cool your body temperature in an instant.
James said: “When we find ourselves awake sweating in the middle of the night, tossing and turning to get comfortable, we can often make ourselves hotter as we stress about not getting any sleep.
“This is the time to turn to your ice packs. Place them on your wrists or forehead for a few minutes and relax as your body temperature quickly begins to drop.
“No ice packs? Use a flannel or cut up an old towel.”
How much sleep we need depends on our age, say sleep experts.
