The body needs enough sleep to help it function properly, according to the NHS.
Not getting enough sleep is bad for your mental and physical health.
Regular poor sleep increases your risk of obesity, heart disease and diabetes.
If you’re struggling to fall asleep in the hot temperatures, you could do this quick trick to help you sleep faster.
Swap your duvet and sheets for a damp towel to help you feel cool during the night, revealed Dr Pixie McKenna.
Using a damp towel should help people to fall asleep faster during hot weather, she said.
A number of people prefer to sleep under a blanket, but would rather avoid getting too hot – especially as the UK endures a heatwave.
The damp towel should help to resolve both issues, and is a great way to keep you cool when you’re struggling to fall asleep.
“We yearn for the heat during the winter, but end up complaining when it’s here because we don’t know how to handle it,” said Dr Pixie, who is a sleep expert for Dreams.
“However, heat doesn’t have to affect our sleep at all – it’s just about knowing how to manage it.
“There are many simple things we can do to ensure it doesn’t stop us from getting a good quality night’s rest.
“Rather than sheets or blankets, use damp towels to keep yourself covered but cool while you sleep.”
You could also fall asleep faster by popping your sheets in a freezer before going to bed, said Dr Pixie.
Put your pillow case and bed sheets in a plastic bag, and put the bag in the freezer for a few minutes.
That way, it ensures the sheets aren’t carrying any extra heat that may keep you awake, she said.
About 40 per cent of the UK has struggled to sleep properly during the heatwave, according to research from Dreams.
Almost half of all women said they haven’t been able to sleep properly, compared with 33 per cent of all men.
You could fall asleep faster by sticking to a regular bedtime, and by winding down before bed, said the NHS.
Try having a warm bath, listening to relaxing music, or writing a ‘to-do’ list, it said.
Most adults need between six and nine hours of sleep every night.
