Low Temperature = Quality Sleep

Posted: September 17, 2020 by Andy

Sleeping comfortably can be challenging, especially during Northeast Ohio's seasonal transitions. What works for one sleeper often doesn't work for someone else. There's really no magic formula that'll work for everyone when it comes to getting a good night's sleep. That said, whatever your preferred temperature is when bedtime rolls around, sleeping in a cold room offers many health benefits:

You'll sleep better

A cold room will help you fall into a deeper, less interrupted sleep, which means less tossing and turning. Consistently sleeping well can also save you money on over-the-counter sleeping aids or prescription drugs. You won't need those energy drinks or that double-shot of espresso as often, too!

You'll fall asleep faster

We're not doctors or scientists, but we do know that sleep is good for you. However, if your room feels too hot, you'll probably sweat in bed and not find comfortable rest. Likewise in a frigid room - you probably won't be able to get comfy. But, a room that's just cold enough? Now that feels good, doesn't it? In a pleasantly cool room, your body doesn't waste energy trying to adjust temperature, which means you'll fall asleep fast! So, it makes sense - the faster you fall asleep, the more sleep you get, right?

Your body will age better

Insomnia patients are often instructed to take melatonin as a sleep aid. Interestingly, experts say that sleeping in a room that's between 60-68 degrees will allow your body to release more melatonin. Also, melatonin is a known anti-aging hormone. So, it not only helps you get a good night's sleep, it helps you age more gracefully too. On the flip side, you don't need a medical degree to know that people who don't sleep well tend to age badly. Dark circles and eye bags can make a 30-year-old look much older than they actually are!

And there's other benefits too

Studies have proven that sleeping in a cold room will improve your metabolism, brain function, and will even help prevent diabetes. But again, we're not doctors or scientists, so we won't get into the details of that research.

Ways to sleep cool

Get naked. Yes, seriously - the less clothes you sleep in, the less insulation there is on your body, trapping less heat against your skin. So, if you sleep in the buff, you'll sleep cooler. Simple.

Become a fan of your, um... fan. It's designed to help cool the room, and the people in it, so use a portable or ceiling fan to circulate your room's air and create a cooling effect. You'll love your fan once it helps you fall asleep!

Get yourself a cold pillow. Have an extra pillow laying around? Leave it out from under your covers and let it get nice and cold. And when it's bedtime, grab that cold pillow and snuggle up to it to help cool your body. This will help cool your bedding and your other pillows - including the one that goes under your head - to help keep you cool.

Cuddle up with your partner. This one sounds odd, at first. You've learned that a cold room is good for you, but keeping comfortable can be difficult, especially if you share your bed with somebody whose idea of "cold" is far chillier than yours. Sharing body heat of another person in the bed can keep you feeling just right in a room that might otherwise feel too cold for you. Also, cuddling is a wonderful stress reliever, and the less stressed you are, the better you'll sleep!

Get a bigger bed. This is the opposite of cuddling. If you can't fall or stay asleep while snuggling, a bigger bed enables you to break away from cuddling and get some quality sleep. When you have a bed with more space, you can scoot away once your partner conks out and sleep without disrupting each other. And, you can use two different bed covers - perhaps a thicker one for them, and a thinner one for you.

Stick a foot out. Leaving a body part exposed while sleeping will help keep you cool. If you like to stay wrapped up snugly all night but then you overheat, try sticking one foot outside of the covers. It'll help you stay cool.

Adjust your thermostat. When it comes to comfort, the ideal thermostat setting for sleep might be a struggle. If you share a home with others, not everyone will agree on what the thermostat should be set at. If you find yourself at odds with your housemates over what the temperature should be at night, consider upgrading to a zoned heating and cooling system, which allows for different thermostats - and temperatures - in each room.

Now that you've learned about the benefits of sleeping in a cold room, make sure you can sleep at the perfect temperature all year long. We're here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - call us!

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