I love summer as much as the next person — until the heat makes me too hot to sleep.
Chances are if you’re reading this, it’s likely the middle of the night and you’ve been tossing and turning for hours because your body feels like it’s basically its own human furnace. Your body is supposed to naturally cool down a couple of degrees throughout the night, which correlates with the release of melatonin that helps you sleep more soundly. But for some people, there could be a number of reasons — from having a high metabolism to hormonal fluctuations like menopause — that could be contributing to sweaty sleep even if you manage to keep the ambient temperature in the room cool.
Research shows that you sleep better — and more deeply — when your core body temperature is cooler. So, instead of waking up every so often to flip your pillow to the “cool” side, below are seven ways that can help if you don’t have an air conditioner or perhaps you’re nervous about using a fan overnight (after all, fans can cause dehydration if they’re blowing air directly at you for hours on end).
Swap out your pillows
Though your head is responsible for only 10% of your body’s total heat loss, your face, head, and upper chest are up to five times more sensitive to temperature, which is probably why you might feel like your head is warmer than the rest of your body. The Purple Harmony Pillow features a moisture-wicking, mesh cooling cover on the outside and on the inside there are 1,500 open-air channels designed for optimal ventilation and airflow so your head stays cool. Bonus: It’s hypoallergenic, non-toxic, and won’t flatten out over time like other pillows.
Try cooling pajamas
Silk pajamas might be more comfortable for you, but they’re not as breathable as some other fabrics. Silk also doesn’t absorb moisture, so you may feel like your sweat is just sitting on top of your PJs if you’re a hot sleeper. Soma Intimates has a Cool Nights sleepwear line that’s made with a mix of lightweight rayon and spandex that prevents your pajamas from sticking to your body — and stays cool to the touch.
Stick your beauty products in the fridge
Keeping your skincare products chilled is a favorite beauty editor trick to soothing skin, treating puffiness, reducing inflammation, and, of course, cooling down. Keep items like your Sunday Riley Saturn Sulfur Spot Treatment Mask, Sunday Riley C.E.O. Afterglow Brightening Vitamin C Gel Cream, Sunday Riley Auto Correct Eye Cream, face mists, face balms, and jade roller or gua sha tools in a mini-fridge in your bedroom or bathroom for convenience.
The Cooluli Mini Fridge is great for holding 10-12 full-size beauty products at your fingertips for instant cooling and relaxation. Plus, we don’t mind that a skincare fridge makes perfect Instagram bait.
Trade basic bedding for eucalyptus sheets
Getting knowledgeable about your bedsheet fabric is key. One hundred percent cotton is a classic fabric for bedsheets for their softness, but they’re not as breathable as something like linen that has a looser weave. Eucalyptus fibers, however, are the unsung hero of the bedsheet world. Not only are they eco-friendly, but they’re naturally breathable and promote coolness. Buffy Eucalyptus Sheets are made with 100% eucalyptus fiber, and as one five-star reviewer put it, feel like “cool water on your skin.”
Keep the room temperature down during the day
Do your best to keep the heat out of your bedroom during the hottest parts of the day to make sure your room doesn’t trap in the heat. If you’re unable to invest in shades or blinds, try this Static Cling Total Blackout Window Film that blocks 100% of UV rays. It sort of acts like Saran Wrap for your windows and it’s easy to apply and cut to the size of your window. They’re also easy to remove or be reused. Furthermore, if you have a box fan, you can use it to circulate air in your bedroom during daytime hours. Consider keeping a bowl of ice water in front of a table fan or box fan for a DIY air conditioning unit.
Invest in a cooling mattress pad
If you simply love the feeling of being surrounded by a cozy down comforter while you sleep, the ChiliPAD is a great option to let you use your existing sheets and blankets. It’s a water-powered mattress pad that gets cooler (or warmer during the fall/winter months!) based on your unique preferences. You can get one that’s just for yourself or one that’s made for two with separate controllers that let you and your partner find your ideal sleep temperatures.
Rethink your mattress
Instead of a mattress pad, you can up the ante with a super-ventilating mattress, especially if you’re a warm sleeper year-round. The Casper Wave Hybrid Mattress comes in a version that has Snow Technology, where each layer of the mattress is designed to continuously pull heat away from your body thanks to the perforated foam material (which still offers plenty of back support). The cover is made of cooling gel pods so you immediately have a cooling sensation when you climb in.
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