As the red-hot heatwave descends on the UK, temperatures surpass 30C, leaving Brits struggling to sleep in the heat. The hottest figures will be felt around London next week, and the rest of Britain won’t be far behind. With southwesterly winds bringing in blasts of heat from the continent, experts are issuing tips for staying cool at night so that you can feel well-rested the following morning.
Sleep specialist Katherine Hall, in partnership with Bed Factory Direct, has shared her one key trick for battling the heat. The expert reveals that wearing cotton pyjamas is the best way to keep you cool. “It may seem simple, but something as small as sleeping in the right material can be the difference in getting a good night’s sleep. I would recommend cotton as it is breathable and soaks up sweat, providing ultimate comfort in the heat,” she says.
Ms Hall also recommends sleeping under thinner sheets rather than thicker duvets, which can result in overheating and restlessness.
“Switching to a thinner sheet and a lightweight duvet will provide an additional level of comfort, with the material less likely to make you sweat,” the expert adds.
She says that avoiding napping in the daytime is also crucial to sleeping through the summer nights, despite the heat often leaving us feeling fatigued and lethargic.
During the day, keeping the sun out of your bedroom is important to keep the temperature down. Ms Hall says: “Simple techniques like drawing the blinds throughout the day will prevent the hot air from entering and leave the room feeling nice and cool. Opening the windows slightly before you go to sleep will also provide a gentle breeze to help you sleep through the night”.
If your room is still feeling too warm to properly sleep, the specialist says to “dust off the fan”.
“The cool air provides a refreshing escape from the heat and has been proven to help you sleep,” she says. “For extra relief, you can try placing an ice tray in front of the fan so that when the fan blows, the melting ice will fill the air, leaving the room as cool as can be”.
Finally, Ms Hall emphasises the importance of keeping hydrated throughout the day due to heat causing excessive sweating, meaning you are constantly losing fluids.
“Research has suggested that you should be drinking fluids before you even feel thirsty to avoid dehydration which can lead to heat exhaustion,” she adds.