Among the worst things that can cause you to wake up in the middle of the night is summer heat. Waking up covered in sweat and unable to escape the high temperatures is gross and uncomfortable. It can make it even more difficult to fall back asleep, as well. Clearly, it’s time for summer sleep hacks.
How Summer Sleep Hacks Can Help
After all, as temperatures are steadily rising year after year, the summer heat is unavoidable. People who suffer from sleep problems in the summer can do one of two things: Move to the opposite hemisphere during the summer months to create a life of year-long winter, or try these simple summer sleep hacks that make it easier to beat the heat throughout those hot summer nights.
Shower Before You Sleep
Your body sweats as a way to cool down and maintain homeostasis. When your sweat evaporates, it creates a cooling effect that keeps your body temperature stable. You can mimic this with a shower before bed. Going to bed with wet hair in the summer is like creating your own personal air conditioning unit on top of your head. Even better, stepping out of a warm shower into your cold house creates drowsiness that enables you to drift off to sleep.
Change Your HVAC Filters
If you don’t already change the filters on your air conditioning unit, doing so could be the key to having a good night’s sleep again. When your HVAC filter is dirty, it makes it more difficult for the machine to work properly. This means it takes more energy and time to cool your place and cost you more on utilities.
Obviously, changing your air filter is essential when the summer months roll around. When buying a replacement (which you should do every 90 days), make sure you’re getting the right size air filter by copying the dimensions on the existing filter.
Replace Your Sheets
Satin sheets are sexy and flannel sheets are great for winter months, but if you’re waking up in the middle of the night dripping in sweat, it’s time for a replacement. Thankfully, there are plenty of cooling bed sheets options for everyone’s tastes. Bamboo sheets are breathable, lightweight, and sustainable to boot.
Microfiber sheets are another option that are both breathable and moisture-wicking. Percale sheets are a cotton option that feel cool to the touch and won’t cling to your body. Shop around and find the best cooling sheets for your summer sleep needs.
Find Your Biggest Fan
Place an electric fan in your bedroom to create airflow that keeps you cool. Fans are inexpensive, they don’t use a lot of electricity, move warm air away from you, and can create a buzzing white noise effect many people find soothing when they are trying to fall asleep.
Tower fans are a great option for the bedrooms, as they cool the entire room without taking up too much space. Window fans are also perfect for nighttime use, as they bring in cooler air from the outdoors, which lowers the temperature of the room rather than just providing personal cooling.
If hot summer nights make you wake up in a puddle of sweat, it can be an issue. We sleep better in a cool environment and missing out on quality or quantity of sleep can lead to physical, mental, and emotional problems. So take advantage of some of these summer sleep hacks.
Once again, consider taking a shower right before bed to mimic the cooling evaporation of sweat. Make sure your HVAC is working at its best by changing the filter when summer rolls around. Replace your sheets with ones that are made from cooling and breathable fabrics. Finally, invest a little money in a bedroom fan that lowers the temperature of the room for a cooler night’s sleep.
Guest Post:
This is a guest post by Dana Brown of Health Conditions, where she connects you to the health information you need most.