8 Tips for Sleeping in the Heat

Sleeping in the summer heat without air conditioning can be very uncomfortable! Here are 8 tips to help you drift off to sleep a little easier.

1. Keep a fan running. There is nothing worse than hot, stagnant air. Keep fresh air circulating by running a fan.
2. Try a bamboo summer sleeping mat on your bed to allow for better air circulation. These are popular in Taiwan where summers are very hot.
3. Swap your regular pillow for one filled with buckwheat. The buckwheat hulls allow air to circulate through the pillow, cooling it off quickly.
4. Drink something cool before bed. It will temporarily cool down your core body temperature.
5. Avoid using incandescent (old fashioned) lightbulbs in your bedroom, even as a nightlight, since they give off heat. Fluorescents and LEDs are much cooler. But watch out for their light spectrum — you wouldn't want too much blue in the light at bedtime since that can interfere with sleep.
6. Go to bed later. Not all schedules can allow for this, but going to bed later in the evening, once the air has started to cool, can make for a more comfortable night of sleep.
7. Shower at night. A cool shower before bed can help keep the body temperature down, especially after a hot and sweaty day.
8. Dress light. Gravitate towards light, loose-fitting clothes and avoid wearing socks.