Learn how to stay cool and stop sleeping hot. We’re smack in the middle of another Seattle summer, and the temperature keeps rising. Most of us don’t have air conditioning in the home, so it’s vital we know how to keep cool at night.
If you struggle to get a good night’s sleep this time of year, you’re not alone. Below we’ve listed off a few key components to insure you catch all the Zzz’s you need this season.
Room temperature is key
The ideal sleep temperature is anywhere between 60 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re one of Seattle’s lucky few with air conditioning, make sure the thermostat is set before you head to bed. If you’re like the majority of us and live AC free, it’s time to open those windows, let in some air, and invest in a fan.
If you’re able, open two windows on separate walls of your bedroom to create a cross breeze. If you don’t have this option, that’s fine! Opening one window will still help lower the temperature; this is where a fan becomes paramount.
If you can, place your fan in front of an open window. This will circulate cooler air from outside into your bedroom, lowering the temperature. If this isn’t an option, be sure your fan is placed so that it doesn’t disturb you during your sleep, but is also not so far away that it’s ineffective. The goal is to avoid sleeping hot; having your fan too far away won’t do you any good!
What are you wearing?
Do you ever give much thought to your pajamas? If you’re anything like me, the answer is no. But you should! Especially if you’re trying to keep cool. The types of clothes you wear and the fabric they’re made of can have a pretty big impact on sleep quality.
Clothing made from moisture-absorbing fabric is often best, regardless of the time of year. But it can be especially important during warmer months, when higher temperatures cause us to sweat more.
Cotton and bamboo fabrics are good fabrics for absorbing moisture. Linen is another great option, as it’s extremely light and won’t weigh you down. Whatever you do, make sure you take your socks off. If your feet are too warm, it can cause your whole body to overheat.
But the best option for keeping cool might just be no pajamas at all. Americans tend to shy away from the idea of sleeping sans clothing, but many other countries around the world embrace this practice, and it can be a great option to help regulate your temperature. So if you’re comfortable with the idea, it’s definitely worth a try!
What are you sleeping on/under?
Just as it matters what you’re wearing to bed, your bedding plays an important role in sleep quality. Why? because it affects temperature regulation.
Summers are a tough time of year for bedding. As humans, we naturally want to burrow when we sleep. It’s a protective measure, both comforting and comfortable. But when it’s hot, burrowing under the covers often leads to overheating.
How many of us have woken up in the middle of the night covered in sweat? It’s an unpleasant sensation. But if we don’t cover up, many of us don’t feel comfortable; after all, no one likes to feel vulnerable to that monster under the bed! So what do we do? Is this Catch-22 situation avoidable?
Thankfully, it is. The solution is finding bedding made from materials that wick away moisture.
And it might surprise you to know that one of the best materials out there for this purpose is wool. That’s right! Wool naturally wicks moisture away from your body and allows it to evaporate quickly. And you’re in luck, because we’ve got exactly what you need. Check out our Washable Wool Bedding Collection.