How to sleep better during a heatwave

How does a heatwave affect sleep?

There are a few reasons why it’s difficult to sleep during a prolonged period of hot weather. Firstly, being too hot is uncomfortable and you’re likely to be sweaty, which makes it hard to relax and fall asleep. You may also find your usual bedtime set-up - such as your duvet or pyjamas - unsuitable for the weather

Another reason why it’s hard to sleep well during a heatwave is because our body temperature is linked to sleep regulation. There is a complicated relationship between our core body temperature - which goes up and down throughout the day in a predictable way - and how sleepy we feel. Before we go to sleep, our temperature tends to cool down, which makes us feel tired. So when we’re too warm, it throws us out of balance¹.

An ideal bedroom temperature is around 16-18°C (60-65°F), according to the Sleep Charity². But when the outside temperature is hitting the 30C mark, it’s likely our bedrooms are sweltering too. So what can we do to stay cool and sleep better?

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Tips for sleeping in a heatwave

Stick to your usual routine

Hot weather can make us feel tired during the day because we're using more energy to keep cool by regulating our core temperature³. However, sticking to your usual bedtime routine - instead of napping during the day - can help you sleep at night. Sleeping during the day may mean you’re less likely to sleep at night because you may be less tired at bedtime.

Keep your bedroom as cool as possible

Professor Kevin Lomas, a professor of building simulation at the University of Loughborough who has studied overheating properties, explains that timing is important when it comes to keeping your room cool.

“There are lots of things you can do to bring the temperature down by a few degrees. But the trick is doing them at the right times, for example, opening curtains and windows allows air to circulate,” he says.

“However, the benefits would be neutralised or even reversed if you also allow sunlight to beam in all day - the heat from which becomes trapped in furniture and raises the temperature.”

Therefore, it can help to keep the curtains or blinds shut during the day.

Use an electric fan

Air conditioning is a pipedream for many of us, but an electric fan can do a decent job to help the air circulate in your bedroom. A fan helps to encourage the evaporation of sweat, which makes it easier for your body to regulate your internal temperature. Putting a tray of ice and a little water in front of the fan can help cool the air even more.

Use a cold water bottle

Filling a hot water bottle with ice cold water and putting it by your feet can help keep you cool.

Change your bedding

Try swapping your usual duvet for a thinner cover. Natural fibres, such as cotton or linen, are more breathable at night. Although you might feel too hot when you go to bed, your body temperature will drop during the night so it can help to have a cover to hand if you feel cold.

Drink enough during the day

Drink plenty of water during the day so you replace what is lost through peeing and sweating to avoid dehydration. The guidelines state to drink between six and eight glasses a day, but you will need to drink more if it’s hot as you will likely sweat more than usual.

Further reading

Okamoto-Mizuno et al: Effects of thermal environment on sleep and circadian rhythm.

The Sleep Charity: The Sleep Environment.

Gonzalez-Alonso: Influence of body temperature on the development of fatigue during prolonged exercise in the heat.