Sleeping during a heatwave can be tough.
If you’ve woken up feeling sweaty and uncomfortable, here’s a simple tip to cool down quickly.
Quick Cooling Tip
Go to the bathroom and run cold water on the underside of your wrists for a few seconds.
The veins in your wrists are close to the surface of your skin, so cooling them helps lower your blood temperature, making your whole body feel cooler.
This trick also works on other parts of the body where veins are close to the surface, like your neck, temples, or the crook of your arm. But wrists are usually the most convenient and least messy option in the middle of the night.
After cooling your wrists, lie back in bed in a semi-fetal side sleeping position, which is the best position to sleep in when it’s hot.
Preventative Tips for a Cooler Bedroom
If you don’t mind a bit of preparation, here are some ways to keep your bedroom cooler as bedtime approaches:
Close the blinds during the day: Keeping your curtains or blinds closed will block out the sun and help keep your room cooler. This is especially effective if you have blackout curtains.
Try a cold water bottle: Fill a thermos with water and put it in the freezer for an hour or two before bed. This can provide an instant cooling effect. You may want to wrap it in a towel to avoid dampening your bed with condensation.
Consider a cooling mattress: If you live in a place where it’s often hot at night, investing in a cooling mattress could be worthwhile. These mattresses are designed to regulate temperature using materials that move heat away from your body or covers that stay cool to the touch. Some even offer active cooling features.
By following these tips, you can make those hot summer nights a little more bearable and get a better night’s sleep.
