May bank holiday is finally here, and with temperatures of 30 degrees expected it is going to be a scorcher.
Whilst soaring temperatures mean fun in the sun, difficulties lie when it comes to bedtime.
Experts warn that sleeping in high temperatures can lead to fragmented sleep as you are likely to wake up during the night, preventing you from getting a restful night.
Sleep doctor Nerina Ramlakhan says: “Ideally, in order for us to sleep well, there needs to be a fractional temperature difference between our body and our brain – a warm body and a cool head!”
Dr Nerina, Silentnight’s sleep expert, shared her favourite tips to help the nation beat the heat and stay well rested in the hot and humid weather including wearing wet socks to bed.
“Sleep in cool wet socks or even a damp T-shirt,” Dr Nerina suggests to cool down.
We all know how great it feels to flip your pillow over onto the cool side, but have you ever thought of this?
“Chill your pillow case in the freezer before going to bed,” Dr Nerina suggests.
What to do when it’s too hot to sleep
Wash your feet with cold water before getting into bed, and rinse wrists under cold water
If you wake up in the night, rub a menthol stick on your forehead to help cool down
Place a wet flannel in the fridge for an hour or so before you go to bed, and rest this on your forehead as you drift off
Place a tray of ice in front of a blowing fan. As the ice melts, this will help to cool the room down
Keep a plant mister beside your bed. If the heat is becoming unbearable, gently spray yourself with water to assist the cooldown
Keep curtains and blinds shut. This will help prevent your bedroom from overheating.
Swap heavier duvets for lighter duvets and sheets, such as 4.5 tog
Think about your mattress options, as many are now designed to prevent the body from overheating.
Stay hydrated, it is important to remember to drink lots of water throughout the day time
Don’t fret. If you are struggling to sleep, it’s important to instead try and rest, thinking positively about the day ahead rather than worrying about the lack of sleep.
Sleep is more important than ever because recent studies claim our beauty sleep really does prevent us from becoming ugly.