4 tips for staying cool in bed during summer

Staying cool at night is crucial for a good night’s sleep.

While many of us long for the warmth of summer, with days spent outside and more hours of sunlight, when it comes time to head indoors and snuggle down for the night, the lingering heat can make sleep less than dreamy.

Heat and humidity can create an uncomfortable environment for sleeping, which can lead to tossing and turning and waking up sweaty, or difficulty falling asleep in the first place. Poor sleep can impact your energy and mood, but thankfully there are things you can do to keep cool during summer and enjoy a restful sleep.

Optimise your sleep environment

One of the most effective ways of getting a good sleep during summer is by creating the right environment. The ideal sleep temperature is typically between 17 and 19 degrees Celsius, according to Australia’s Sleep Health Foundation, so it’s important to try to keep your bedroom set to the best temperature for sleeping in summer.

However, when temperatures soar outside it can be hard to maintain a comfortable temperature inside. Promote airflow around the room to keep the room from overheating by using a fan. If you don’t have a ceiling fan, a standing one will work just as well when placed at the foot for the bed. You should also keep your curtains or blinds closed during the day to help keep the heat out.

Creating a cool sleep environment means that snuggling into bed during summer no longer results in a sweaty night.

Adjust your sleep habits

When it comes to your sleep routine, there are a few changes that can make falling asleep during a hot summer evening a dream.

Consuming heavy meals, caffeine or alcohol can increase your body temperature and interfere with your ability to fall asleep. Keep hydrated with water and herbal teas to keep your body cool, though don’t go overboard, or you’ll end up making repeat trips to the bathroom all night!

We all have our preferred sleeping position and it can be hard to change that, but if you’re usually a side sleeper or enjoy curling up into a ball like a cat, when the temperature starts to increase try lying on your back with your limbs spread to allow air to circulate around your body. This will prevent heat from accumulating beneath you and help you stay cooler. Just remember that when you embrace the starfish position, it may involve some coordination with your partner so you both have plenty of space to sleep.

Make sure you use the best sheets for summer comfort

The right bedding can make all the difference during summer. The key to a cooler night’s sleep lies in fabrics that are breathable, moisture wicking and temperature regulating. Choose cooling fabrics made of natural fibres designed to pull heat away from your body and regulate your temperature.

Kate Falconer and Dr Renee Van Der Horst from Forty Winks Geelong say that “investing in thermoregulating bedding can significantly improve your sleep quality by reducing instances of overheating and wakefulness.” Adding that, “when you’re able to maintain a cooler body temperature, your sleep is less disturbed, and you’re more likely to wake up refreshed and ready for the day.”

Overheating can prevent you from entering and maintaining a deep, restorative sleep, so summer can be the ideal time to upgrade your bedding. Just as it’s good idea to switch to cooler sheets during summer, consider swapping over your mattress protector to one that offers breathability and comfort during the warmer months. Made from Tencel, a heat regulating fibre, the TEMPUR-FIT Mattress Protector is one of the best mattress protectors for hot sleepers. 

Choose a cooling mattress

A mattress with temperature-regulating technology can make a huge difference in your sleep quality during summer. With the right mattress you can enjoy sweet dreams and a cool night’s sleep even as the temperature climbs.

A temperature control mattress will help ensure you experience a comfortable sleep all year round. The breathable design of the TEMPUR Pro CoolQuilt mattress promotes airflow and cooling temperature control to keep you cool and comfortable. Made from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene yarn, the Sealy Posturepedic Colorado Climate Cool features ice-touch fabric which can make sliding into bed on a hot summer night a dreamy experience.

Designed to help you find the temperature sweet spot, the SensICE cover on the Crown Posture Bedding PostureAdvance mattress is hyper-conductive, which means it instantly draws heat away from your body, resulting in a cooling effect. The inclusion of memory foam with infused gel particles also improves heat capacity conductivity and thermal effectivity.

When considering a new mattress, Kate Falconer and Dr Renee Van Der Horst recommend you “look for those with cooling gel layers or breathable materials that disperse heat away from the body.” 

Ready to upgrade your summer sleep? Explore our cooling range and shop the Forty Winks Summer Sale!