We are all looking forward to the summer kicking in, of course. However, when those hot baking days end in sweltering evenings and nights as well, it can be a little tricky to get yourself off to sleep. In fact, there is nothing much worse than knowing you have to be up early the next morning and not being able to sleep in a hot, sticky, and breezeless bedroom. The tossing, the turning, and the frustration soon add up, and the result is a poor night’s sleep that ends up meaning you spend the next day in a zombie-like state.
Nevertheless, do not panic – there are plenty of solutions to the hot summer night problem. With a little creativity and some investment, it is possible to ensure you are relaxed and comfortable rather than suffering sleepless nights in a sauna-like environment. Let us look at some of your options – read on to find out more.
Air conditioning
First, the obvious answer is to install and maintain an air conditioning system. These systems can help keep your entire home at the optimum temperature through the hot sticky nights and through the day, too. However, you have to bear in mind that the energy used to keep a home cool during the summer is more than the amount you need to keep warm in the winter. Moreover, that, ultimately, means spending a small fortune on energy bills. If you do decide to run an air con system, make sure it is regularly maintained and clean the filter – it will make your system more efficient and keep your costs down as low as possible.
Portable units
Using air conditioning around the entire home is a bit of a waste of money, so think about the alternative – a mobile unit for the bedroom. Of course, as acpulse.com point out, portable air conditioning units can be a touch on the noisy side, so it is important to seek out units that have a reputation for being quiet. A little background sound – white noise, if you like – it can actually be beneficial anyway, as if you are sleeping with the windows open it will help reduce the impact of external noise. One thing to bear in mind is that if you keep your portable unit running all night, it can cost a significant amount in electricity. So, make sure you get a unit that has a timer, allowing you to drop off into a deep slumber before turning itself off.
Sheeting solutions
Of course, there is no chance of avoiding the heat if you are going to sleep with a thick duvet. Instead, make a switch to a single sheet – and always use cotton sheets. Sure, it is nice to sleep with satin or silk, but cotton ultimately allows for more ventilation and it will help you feel cooler. If you know there is a hot baking evening on its way, you could even put your sheets in the fridge or freezer (make sure they are sealed in a plastic bag first, however.) While your sheet will eventually warm up through the night, it will at least help you feel cool enough to get to sleep in the first place.
Think outside the box
Your hot water bottle is not just for the winter, you know. You can fill it up with water and freeze it for hot summer nights, too. In addition, if you use a bedroom fan, do not have it pointing inside the room – keep it directed toward the window, so it pushes the hot air out of the room, rather than just around it. You could also fill a bucket or pan full of ice cubes and place it in front of the fan, so the air it pushes around is crisp and fresh. Also, do not assume that going to bed with no clothes on will be cooler than wearing light, cotton PJs. While some people prefer it, the cotton PJs will wick your sweat away, meaning your body temperature could actually be lower.
Sleep in the spare room
Sleeping next to someone else means you have twice the body heat to put up with. Therefore, as unromantic as it sounds, you and your partner may be better off sleeping in different beds – or even rooms. Doing this also allows you both to set your room temperature to the perfect setting for your own needs. Can’t bear the thought of sleeping apart? Try taking your mattress off the bed and place it on the floor, instead. Do not forget that hot air rises, so the closer you are to the floor, the lower the temperature.
Pre-sleep preparation
You can cool down your body temperature before going to bed in several ways. First, take a cold shower – it will get rid of the sweat and grime you have picked up during the day, and help you feel cooler and more comfortable enough to get to sleep. Try hanging wet sheets in front of your bedroom window, too; it should bring down the room temperature by helping to cool the warm breezes that come in through the window. Finally, keep your lighting down to the bare minimum in the hour or so before you go to bed. Lights give off a surprising amount of heat that will just add to your discomfort.
Buy some earplugs
We all want to have our windows open during hot, summer nights. Nevertheless, the trouble is it means we are exposed to a whole range of noises from outside. It might be the dogs barking, student parties, or even trains and planes passing by, we know that the slightest noise can keep us awake and stimulate the brain for hours on end. So, invest in a pair of high-quality earplugs. According to zenplugs.com, they will cancel out most of the outside noises, and help you nod off without any aural disturbances. In addition, as we discussed above, white noise can help – whether it is the static of an untuned radio or a white noise CD.
Hope these tips help – feel free to share more if you have them!
