While summer may be associated with a lot of things we all look forward to, it’s not everyone’s favorite season when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep. The roaring heat of summer can often result in uncomfortable tossing and turning, sweating, and lying in bed wide awake every night. So how can you keep cool during those clammy summer nights? And what is the best temperature for sleeping? If you want to know how to sleep better at night naturally, Woolroom have got the answers.
We get it. You ramp up the excitement for the sunny season every year; and when it eventually comes around, all you want to do is go on vacation, light up the BBQ, hit the beach and enjoy mother nature’s gift. But then it comes to bedtime, and you just can’t seem to nod off - even when you’ve got the AC on full blast. It’s not unusual for your sleep to be impacted by the hot weather, and you’re certainly not alone in that. In fact, even if you do manage to get some shut eye, the temperature could still be tampering with the quality of your sleep. Research published in the
Journal of Physiological Anthropology revealed that the heat of summer can disrupt your slow wave and REM cycles, meaning your sleep is suffering, regardless of whether you know it or not.
Temperature affects our bodies in different ways, but we’re here to tell you that there are a few natural changes you can make to get a healthy, happy sleep in summer – even if a heatwave strikes!
How to sleep better in summer
There’s nothing worse than trying to get cozy in the summer months. Stagnant air, no breeze through the open windows, unable to curl up in your comforter…the list goes on!
If you’re too hot to sleep, you can try out some of the following techniques:
- Taking a cold shower before bed to help lower your core body temperature
- Investing in a blackout blind for your window so you can keep the sun out during the day
- Staying hydrated - it’s obvious, but it does make a difference
- Trying a herbal tea before bedding down for the night
- Opting for a cooling pillow or pad to avoid perspiring
- Choosing wool bedding over synthetic fiber alternatives
Best temperature for sleeping
Being in a comfortable environment is essential for good quality night’s sleep. The easiest way to look at it is to think of your bedroom as a cave. Ideally, it’ll be cool, dark and quiet to achieve the best possible slumber. Keeping your bedroom at a steady temperature of around 56°F (13.5°C) - give or take a few degrees - is the best temperature for sleeping in summer.
Why? Because your body heat peaks in the early evening and then drops to its lowest levels throughout the night when you're asleep, so a cooler climate is thought to be the most ideal. Temperatures over 24°C (71°F) are more likely to cause restlessness, while a colder room at around 12°C (53°F) will make it more difficult to drop off - so it's important to keep yourself somewhere in the middle.
You might be wondering if it’s possible to regulate your own body temperature at night so that you can reach that “just right” number and drift off peacefully regardless of the weather. Well…you can!
It’s summer, so you probably thought you were done with wool for the season! While most of us associate wool with winter and warmth, a
wool mattress topper or
comforter can actually help to keep you cool all night long. Wool is naturally thermo-regulating and extremely breathable compared to synthetic bedding alternatives, which means it has the ability to react to your body temperature to fully absorb and release any moisture. So, if your mattress turns into a bit of a hot plate during the summer, a
wool mattress pad,
pillow or
comforter can go a long way.
How to sleep better at night naturally
It’s all well and good to whack the air conditioning up to full power or listen to peaceful rainforest sounds on a loop in an attempt to drift off, but sleeping in summer doesn’t have to be this way. For most of us, we’d much rather fall asleep naturally.
It’s also worth noting that air conditioners require a lot of energy to function properly, and are probably doing more harm to your sleeping environment than good. Your typical AC unit might keep you a bit cooler at night, but it consumes so much electricity that it actually releases pollution into the air. When a fossil fuel is burned, carbon dioxide is also released - which doesn’t make for a very happy planet.
Want to know how to sleep better at night naturally – without hurting the environment or your sleep? You should take a look at your bedding.
If you’re wondering how to sleep better in summer naturally, wool bedding is your answer. Not only do you benefit from the luxurious comfort that wool offers, but it’s also a natural insulator. This means you’ll be kept warm in winter when you’re feeling the chill, but simultaneously cool in the summer – thanks to its temperature-regulating capabilities and naturally breathable fabric.
Wool fiber helps to keep your body at the optimal temperature zone for the right level of comfort and rest. The alternatives, such as synthetic fibers, down and cotton, do not breathe in the same way as wool does, so heat is more likely to get trapped in your bed. So, if you want to stop feeling beat from the heat, take a look at
wool bedding – the secret to a healthier, happier sleep. Want to know more about the miracle of wool? Find out
how to get a better sleep with Woolroom.