The body is an intelligent machine that, when given the right conditions, is able to perfectly adapt to the complex world around it. Even when we sleep, the body is working hard to regulate its temperature. To keep us in the sleep state, to process the day, and to prepare for the next one.

Natural thermoregulation, or the body’s ability to maintain the perfect temperature for optimal rest and recuperation, can be interrupted by several factors. Normally, the body cools itself down, especially during the first two sleep phases. However, the temperature outside (remember the heat dome?), as well as things like diet and stress can impact the body.

Overheating night after night might result in a person feeling groggy or unrested. And we all need our sleep to live healthy, alert lives. Proper sleep is connected to good decision making, good reflexes, and has a positive effect on the rest of the body and mind.

Here are some tips on how to stay cool at night.

1. Cool the room

Keeping the bedroom as cool as possible, especially during a hot weather event, is a simple a practical way to start. It will help you fall asleep faster and will give your body an advantage in entering into the sleep state. Keep your blinds drawn throughout the day. If you have air-conditioning (even a portable one), be sure to direct it into the bedroom before bedtime.

2. Invest in the best mattress for you

Sleeping on the right mattress is crucial. A mattress that responds to your body’s needs, including firmness and material, will help your body regulate and relax. Additionally, it will not only help you fall asleep, but stay asleep.

3. Linens and pyjamas

Switching out your bedding with the seasons is very important in natural thermoregulation. The same goes with your pyjamas. If you are even thinking about wearing fleece past May, you are just asking for trouble (and a poor night’s sleep). Breathable materials like cotton, bamboo derivatives, and even silk can help your body achieve the desired temperature.

4. Avoid nighttime snacks

Eating too close to bedtime means that your body will be busy digesting the food rather than doing what it needs to repair the body and rest the mind. Digestion is a high energy process that involves multiple organs, heating the body up rather than cooling it down.

5. Reduce alcohol

Related to the point above, at night is when the liver really goes to work to process what the body has been consuming. If you’ve ever woken up with the night sweats, have a think about what you’ve had to eat and drink and see if there is a correlation. Adjust accordingly.

6. Keep a sleep schedule

The body will begin to get into a rhythm to fall asleep faster, regulate the internal temperature, and deeply rest when it knows that sleep is coming. The best thing to do is to prioritize sleep and go to bed under the same conditions as often as possible. It’s a great way to thank your body for all the hard work it does for you!

If you are having trouble sleeping or are looking to invest in a mattress in Surrey, come on into our showroom. We have the perfect mattress waiting for you.