How to sleep in hot weather
When temperatures soar, getting to sleep can be a nightmare – but a few expert changes might help you cool down and drop off in a heatwave
We love summer, but it makes it so much harder to sleep. Have a read of our tips to ensure you keep your cool and get a full night of shut-eye
Step 1: summerproof your bed linen
‘Rethink your duvets and blankets,’ says Lisa Artis of The Sleep Council. Summer bed linen in natural materials will help your body to stay cool – think cotton or linen duvet colours or try temperature balancing bedding, which is designed to help regulate your temperature. Your summer duvet should be a low tog rating (2-5-4.5 tog) – and again look for breathable options. On very hot nights, ditch the duvet and lie under a flat sheet instead.
Step 2: invest in a fan
If the sun streams through your window in the afternoon and evening, close your curtains and blinds before leaving the house for work. ‘Open windows – and doors – to create a draught at night,’ says Lisa. And if you're home during the day, keep them open to help air move around the room. And if you've yet to, now's the time to invest in a fan. A top tip? Pop a tray with ice and some water in front of the fan, and it will cool the air even more.
Step 3: think about your summertime routine
The longer days mean that summer can be fuelled with later evenings (and lots of rosé). Throw the kids' school holidays into the mix, and bedtime can get super relaxed – but it pays to try and keep your nighttime routine the same throughout the year (as boring as that sounds). Top tips for sleeping in summer: if it’s still light outside when you're trying to get to sleep, use an eye mask or invest in a journal to help you relax.
