9 Tips To Sleep Comfortably During The Summer Months

During the summer months, the warmer weather is usually a welcome addition, especially when we're lucky enough to get a hot weekend to enjoy a BBQ, beach trips and fun in the garden.

Enjoying the sun is something that we look forward to, however for some, it can make a huge impact on our sleep come night time.

Sleeping when the weather is warmer can be difficult. Many of us struggle to fall asleep if our body temperatures are too high, resulting in a restless nights sleep when we do eventually drift off.

1) Make sure your bed is comfortable

There's nothing worse than not being able to sleep, but it's even worse when you can't even get comfy. A good quality mattress is the key to comfort when it comes to bed time. Mattresses come in all different styles such as coil sprung, pocket sprung and memory foam, all available in different firmnesses. Read our mattress guide for more tips on choosing your perfect mattress.

2) Choose Cotton Bedding

Light coloured cotton bedding is the best during the summer months as it's breathable and great for promoting ventilation and airflow in the bedroom.

Try to avoid satin, silk and polyester sheets as they trap warm air a lot easier – put them away for the winter months to enjoy a cosy sleep.

3) Buy A Hot Water Bottle

No, we're not joking! Hot water bottles are fantastic for keeping warm during the colder months but you can also use them in the summer. How? It's easy! Simply fill your bottle with cold water and stick it in the freezer for a few hours to create an ice pack for your bed.

4) Keep Your Room Cool

Using blackout curtains to keep the sun out of your bedroom during the day will make your room cooler come night time. You could also put your sheets in the fridge or freezer for a few minutes before bed to make them colder and more refreshing come sleep time – remember to put them in a plastic bag though to avoid any smells or rogue fish finger crumbs!

5) Open Your Windows

It seems obvious, but keeping your windows open is a great way to let cool air circulate throughout the day. If you're concerned about safety, or live on the ground floor, make sure your window is left on the latch and not wide open for anyone to break in.

It can be difficult to sleep with your window open if you live on a busy main road where there is a lot of noise, so keeping the window on a latch is also handy to drown as much noise out as possible.

6) Sleep Alone

This may be easier said than done, but when it's really warm, sleeping alone is the perfect way to keep cool. Cuddling someone else will make the bed sticky and sweaty, and even someone else's presence increases both your body heats.

7) Stay Hydrated

When it's warm, you must up your water intake to stay hydrated whether it's the day or the night. During the night when you're tossing and turning in the warmth, the perspire that you produce can result in dehydration, so make sure your water levels are topped up.

8) Turn off your electrics

Most bedrooms are full of electricals these days, but they can radiate heat, especially if they've been on for a while. Makes sure your TV, DVD player, Sky box, music system, laptop and lamps are all turned off at the mains to prevent any extra heat in your room.

If you usually charge your phone or tablet overnight, plug it in at the other side of your room. This will also make you less tempted to reach for it in the night, and the bright light that occurs when you get a message, call or notification wont light up your sleeping area.

9) Eat early and shower cold

Eating right before bed is never a good idea anyway, but it's especially worse to eat a big meal before bed when it's warm. The body heats up when it's digesting food anyway, and will play havoc with your body temperature when you're trying to sleep in a warm climate.

Following our tips will help you have a good night's sleep when the weather outside is too warm. If it really is impossible to sleep, why not invest in a fan to cool your room down too?

If you have any other suggestions, let us know in the comments below!