Human-caused climate change is barreling ahead, with no signs of slowing down. This means summers are getting hotter, and nights are becoming harder to sleep through. If you live somewhere that experiences scorching seasonal weather, July can feel almost unbearable. When the temperatures refuse to drop and the fan’s just pushing hot air around, there are fortunately still some ways to cool down. These practical tips will help you get a good night’s sleep despite the record-breaking heat.
Prepare the Bedroom Before Sleep
The first mistake many people make is to fight the heat after getting into bed. In reality, to sleep well, you need to prepare the space beforehand. Keep blinds shut during the day to block out the sun. If there’s a breeze, you can open windows at night to let in cooler air and position fans to push hot air out, rather than just swirl it around.
In areas with a humid continental climate, it’s essential to keep your HVAC system in good shape for your health and well-being. In places that suffer from the urban heat island effect, like Milwaukee, for example, it becomes even more critical. In the last 55 years, temperatures in the city have increased by 3.4 degrees. In this unprecedented heat, a quick check-up from the most experienced HVAC contractor Milwaukee has to offer can help your AC work more effectively.
Switch to Summer Bedding
In the heat, you need light, breathable, and moisture-wicking materials like pure cotton or linen to help you sleep. Plastic sheets made from nylon or polyester will make you feel sticky and sweaty. If you prefer to sleep without a blanket at all, just make sure to set the AC to swing mode. When it blows cool air on one part of your body for the whole night, you might feel some muscle stiffness.
Lower Your Body Temperature Before Bed
Cooling your room helps, but so does cooling yourself. Before you get into bed, take a cool shower to lower your body temperature. Another method is to soak your feet in cold water for 10 minutes and press a damp washcloth to your neck and forehead. Keep hydrated with plenty of cold water, but don’t chug too much right before sleeping. Your bladder will wake you up and disturb your rest.
Freeze Your Sheets
It sounds strange, but this trick really works. Put your top sheet or pillowcase in a ziplock bag and place it in the freezer. It only needs around 30 minutes to cool down. Obviously, the effects won’t last all night, but the hardest part is falling asleep in the heat, and it helps with that. Combine your frozen linen with a buckwheat pillow to maximize airflow and cooling.
Endnote
Sleeping through a heatwave is possible, and it doesn’t involve blasting the AC at full power all night. Instead, make some changes to your bedtime routine to give yourself the best chance at getting a decent rest. The key is to use your AC wisely, prepare the room, plan ahead, and use some quirky but effective methods like freezing your pillowcase.
