Sleep Cooler During a Heatwave

Summer is here and one of the hardest times to sleep is during a heatwave. When you’re too hot, you can wake up a sweaty, uncomfortable mess and not feel as rested as you would like. And while New England might be more famous for its colder months, residents know that the summers are not free of hot nights.

There are a lot of ways to keep your body cool while you sleep and ensure you get those eight hours you need to remain happy and healthy the next day. Here are some tips on how to sleep comfortably during a heatwave.

Temperature-Controlling Mattress Materials

One of the keys to keeping cool as you sleep is your mattress. If you’re someone who doesn’t sleep well when it’s hot, it’s important to pick a mattress made with materials designed to regulate temperature. Our hand-made mattresses are made with several layers of materials with their own specific purpose, and many in both our Traditional and Natural Sleep collections contain a layer with temperature-regulating properties.

For example, some mattresses are made with organic New Zealand wool, which is breathable and wicks away moisture so you won’t wake up sweaty. There’s also natural talalay latex which offers natural cooling properties and won’t provoke latex allergies. Organic flax is also ideal as this strong and durable fiber has natural cooling properties perfect for hot sleepers. Gel-infused memory foam has a cooler surface which will keep your body temperature down and provide a cooler night’s sleep.

If you have a mattress with any of these materials, you’ll be certain to rest easier during hot nights and wake up refreshed. Be sure to use lightweight blankets and sheets for extra comfort at night.

Keep the Room Cool

This one is obvious. The best way to sleep at night during a heatwave is to keep the temperature in your bedroom low. For many, the quickest way to do this is to turn on the air conditioner. However, these can be expensive to run all night long, or you might not have one.

Fans are generally cheaper and use less electricity than an air conditioning unit, so they’re a great alternative to keep your bedroom cool. Ceiling fans are often good because cold air sinks while hot air rises, so the ceiling fan will push down the cool air onto your sleeping body. If you don’t have a ceiling fan, an easy hack is to put a bowl of ice in front of a window fan or table fan. The air will circulate through the ice, picking up the cold temperature and distributing it throughout the room. 

Get a Bigger Bed

It’s great to cuddle with your partner, but during a heat wave, you’re going to want some space to keep cool. Make sure you have a bed that’s comfortably big enough to give you both the space you need so you aren’t over-sharing body heat during the summer months. If you sleep alone, you’ll still want a bed large enough to be able to roll over and find a cooler spot. It’s quite common to toss and turn during the night looking for that spot on hot nights, so it’s best to ensure you have the space.

A good night’s sleep is important to your physical and mental health so it’s important to get it, even when the weather is hot. Don’t let summer insomnia or night sweats leave you exhausted. Keep cool, and sleep well!