Snowy, icy weather can mean homes feel much colder, especially at night, and feeling too cold could prevent you from falling into a comfortable slumber.
Leaving the heating on all night would keep you toasty, but this can be costly. Luckily, there are simple and cost-effective ways to feel warmer in bed.
According to Cat Wiltshire, an expert at Online Bedrooms, there are essentially seven “simple hacks” to feel lovely and warm in bed without increasing your energy bills.
One of the simplest hacks is to “place a hot water bottle” inside your bed before bedtime.
Placing a hot water bottle where you usually sleep means that by the time your bed is calling, you can remove it (for safety reasons) and have a gorgeously warm spot to snuggle into.
Another top tip is to use “multiple layers” of bedding, such as blankets on top of the duvet. By adding blankets to the bed, you are essentially creating “insulating air pockets,” but you can just as easily remove them if you start to feel too warm.
“When used responsibly, electric blankets are a great way to warm up the bed before going to sleep,” said Cat. “Many now also come with a safety timer feature to avoid overheating.”
Your pyjamas could also influence how well you sleep, with Cat recommending layers instead of thick bedwear.
“This way, you’ll be able to keep warm throughout the night and easily remove layers if you become too hot,” said Cat. “Fluffy socks and thermal pyjamas are two great hacks for staying cosy.”
Even the position of your bed could play a part in how warm you feel at night, with Cat suggesting to move the bed away from a draughty window (if possible).
Preparing the room before nightfall is also helpful; you can do this by drawing the curtains in the early evening.
“During the day, keep them open to allow the sun to shine into your home and create warmth,” Cat added.
Her last tip is to “drink warm milk”. She explained: “Drinking a warm cup of milk before bed will help to heat up the body from the inside. Milk also contains tryptophan, which helps the body prepare for sleeping.”