Buckle up, Brits. The latest UK heatwave is in full swing and sleep is a distant memory.
Today, parts of south-east England are expected to reach temperatures of 32C (90F), which, according to the Met Office, puts us in official heatwave territory. And we are already dreading trying to nod off this evening. Yes, this scorching weather is perfect for Whispering Angel-fuelled picnics but it doesn't make for the most comfortable night's sleep.
Without sleep we're basically unable to do anything and no one wants to end up crying over their morning ice lolly (hey, no judgements here). Sweaty, sleepless nights are not the one, and the more you toss and turn, the hotter you get. We've all been there.
It's funny. Remember winter – we were suffering severely from lack of sunshine and longed desperately for balmy summer evenings where we could sit outside with a glass of rosé? But now summer is here, and well… it's too f***ing hot.
So how do we ensure a restful night under these conditions? You'll be pleased to hear, it can be done! For the best advice on how to sleep in the heat, we hit up Silentnight’s in-house sleep expert, Hannah Shore, as well as the experts at sustainable sleep-tech firm Simba, who say there are a few simple hacks that can change the game. We're listening…
It's so simple.
1. Don’t shut the bedroom door
To get the air flowing, you need to keep the window and doors open to allow the air to circulate through. If you can, open another window outside of your bedroom (maybe in the bathroom or hallway) to encourage a breeze. Just make sure you wedge your bedroom door open to stop it from slamming.
You can also stop your bedroom from overheating during the day by keeping the light out during the day by closing your curtains and blinds.
2. A change is as good as a rest
If you become restless in the night, try finding a new position (even switching from top to tail and moving your pillow to the end of the bed). This gives you a better chance of finding a cooler spot that you’ve not already warmed up with your body heat and may mean you might be in a better position to benefit from the airflow. If you’re struggling to sleep during warm weather, then it’s advised to sleep on your side as this will allow more heat to escape from your body. As well as sleeping on your side, try and sleep with your hands and feet outside of the cover as this will also help.
3. Get technical
Want a little extra help? If you can, try out some sleep tech. The Cool Gel Pillow Pad, £19.99, is particularly triumphant. It's made up of cooling gel sections that, when slipped under your pillow, help to keep your head cool.
If overheating is a problem you suffer with year-round, sleep brand Eve, has developed a mattress infused with graphite to draw heat away from your body and regulate your body temperature. Clever.
4. Try the wet towel trick
If you’re lacking air-con (aren’t we all), try rinsing down an old towel and placing it in front of an open window, or even in front of your fan, if you have one. This will mean any air flowing through will pick up the cool moisture and help circulate it around the room. Omg, genius!
5. Make sure your sheets are breathable
Polyester has a tendency to hold onto heat and is water-resistant, meaning if you sweat, it’ll stay trapped against your skin and make you clammy. Instead, opt for breezy, breathable fabrics like cotton or linen. Ikea has a massive selection of 100% cotton sheets, and H&M has some beautiful linen duvet covers. A summer treat you thoroughly deserve. If you're feeling swanky, The White Company often have sales.
6. The pre-bed hacks to try
Before you get into bed, try out washing your feet and running your wrists under cold water. Or taking a cold or lukewarm shower will also do the trick. If things are getting particularly sticky, try chilling your pillowcase or sheets in the freezer before getting into bed. And contrary to what you might think, your hot water bottle can come in handy. Fill it, leave it in the freezer and use it between the sheets like an ice pack.
7. Try the fan and ice hack
Here’s a great tip to help that high-quality fan cool you a little more. Put some ice in a shallow baking tray, pan or bowl and place that in front of your fan. As the ice begins to melt, the breeze will pick up the moisture and disperse a cooling mist across the room. This makes a huge difference on those stuffy nights.
8. Avoid charging your tech at night
Be aware of charging your gadgets at night as they radiate heat which will heat up your room, and in time affect your sleep. Instead, choose to charge them first thing in the morning when it is cooler and you are awake. Not only will doing this reduce the room temperature, it will also save you money as most devices such as a mobile phone, don’t need to be charged for the duration of the time you’re asleep, advise the experts at Make My Blinds.
9. Wear cotton
What you wear to bed has a huge effect on how well you sleep. 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.
Good luck, everyone.
