How To Sleep Comfortably on a Hot Night

During the summer months, heat can be so overwhelming that it is almost impossible to fall asleep. Even a few degrees of added warmth can make you uncomfortable. With a little preparation and the following guidelines, you should be able to sleep comfortably on a hot night.

Materials:
Water
Cotton bedding
Oscillating fan
Ice pack

1. Invest in crisp, cotton sheets as your only bedding. T-shirt and silken sheets may be popular for their softness, but crisp cotton is cooler to the touch. Remove any blankets and extra pillows from the bed. They only add to the heat.
2. Keep your bedding in the freezer until fifteen minutes before bedtime. Prepare for the heat of the evening by folding bedding and placing it into freezer bags in the morning. Place the bag in the freezer to cool down while you are busy during the day. Fifteen minutes before bed, remove the bedding from the freezer and make the bed.
3. Take a cool shower. Cooling down your body temperature is essential before bed. This is more important if you exercise in the evening. Make the water as cold as you can stand without shivering and make sure to splash your face with the cold water several times before ending the shower.
4. Go to bed with your hair wet. In winter, you don’t want to go out in the cold with a wet head, but this is not true in the summer. Go to bed with your hair wet and your body will stay cool for the time it takes to dry. If you are concerned about getting knots in your hair, braid it before you go to sleep. As an added bonus, air-drying instead of blow-drying every night is better for your hair.
5. Sleep naked. If modesty is a concern, use a sheet for cover. Get rid of extra clothing that keeps the heat close to your body.
6. Make the air move with an oscillating fan. Heat seems even more stifling when there is no breeze. If you live in an area where a nice breeze comes in your window, be sure to open the windows wide. If not, invest in an oscillating fan that will move the air around the room. Open the door to you room if possible, to avoid that stifling feeling.
7. Keep ice water on your nightstand. Sometimes just a gulp of ice water will help cool you down. Keep some handy by the bed if you wake up and need a little refreshment.
8. Place an ice pack under your feet. Your legs and feet maintain a good portion of your body heat. If you can cool them off, you can often relax enough to get to sleep. Pull an ice pack out of your freezer and place it under your feet, or under your knees. The ice may be startling for a minute but before long, you will be much cooler.
9. Place a wet cloth on your forehead. Bringing the temperature down on your head is as important as cooling off your feet. If wet hair isn’t keeping you cool enough, try a cold wet cloth on your forehead or the back of your neck.

Keeping your cool is essential to getting a good night sleep in the warm summer months. Follow the steps above and you will be well on your way to sleeping comfortably, no matter how high the mercury rises.