It’s that amazing time of the year again where Australia and the giant flaming ball of gas in the sky we call the Sun decide to get a little bit closer. Summer is the season for celebrating, but one thing which we don’t often celebrate, is not being able to get to sleep. Unfortunately, summer in Australia (and a lot of places) means poor sleep is a reality for a lot of people. Rather than suffer, we’ve come up with some little tips to help you beat the heat for a good night’s sleep.
1. LESS IS MORE
This one is pretty simple, but if you’re not already doing it, sleeping with as little clothing as possible is a sure-fire way to help shake off some heat. If you can’t turn down your PJ’s just yet, make sure they’re loose and lightweight and stay away from synthetic fabrics.
2. FREEZE YOUR BEDDING
No, really. Sticking your sheets in the freezer before bed is a very clever way to make your bed more welcoming on a hot night. We recommend putting them in a bag or container to avoid mixing them in with other frozen treats. Please remember to take them out of the freezer before attempting to sleep on them.
3. SLEEP LIKE AN EGYPTIAN
If the 1986 smash hit isn’t stuck in your head now, then this next tip is a great way to get you cool and calm. The Egyptians used to wet their blankets before jumping into bed to help keep things cool. While we wouldn’t go that far, taking a wet towel or cloth to bed with you is life changing, just make sure you don’t soak your mattress!
4. FROZEN HOT WATER BOTTLE
Leave the kettle alone and instead fill one of these bad boys with water and freeze it. Having an ice cold cuddle buddy is killing two birds with one stone, so why not?
5. HIT THE SHOWERS
Having a cool shower/bath before bed is another easy way to drop the mercury. You can take it one step further though, and use your skin to your advantage. Apply cold packs to areas like your wrists, neck, groin, armpits and back of the knees as these areas circulate blood close to the surface and henceforth help cool you down quick smart. Likewise, your feet are really good at losing heat, so soaking them in cold water for 10 or so minutes is a surprisingly good way to chill out.
6. MACGUYVER YOUR WAY OUT
Time to think outside the box? MacGyver your way through the heat with a couple of neat tricks. You can make a makeshift air conditioner by placing a shallow dish full of ice in front of a regular fan. Similarly, if you’ve got the window open and a breeze coming in, hang up a wet sheet to cool down the incoming air. Alternatively, if your fans are just recycling hot air you can face them out the window and send the hot air on its way. If things are dire, a spray water bottle and fan are a match made in heaven.
7. CHOOSE THE RIGHT MATERIALS
Your sheets can make quite a big difference at regulating temperature, and it’s generally accepted that cotton is the way to go for sleeping cool. By the same token, mattress composition and your bed base are imperative in reducing heat retention.
8. DRINK MORE WATER
It’s essential to life and excellent at helping you sleep. Make sure you’re getting in plenty of water throughout the day to keep you hydrated and cool during the night. Dehydration is actually a common reason for being unable to get to sleep, so this rule applies all the time. Take a cool glass to bed with you in case you wake up hot.
9. TAKE UP THE ENTIRE BED
10. AVOID HOT STUFF
Sounds simple, right? This might mean making some sacrifices, however. Exercising before bed, for instance, is just going to warm your body up and make getting to sleep a nightmare. Moreover, hot food, drinks and environments will all scare the sand man away for longer than you’d like.