A common truth is to say that the best way to avoid sleeping with heat is to have an air conditioning unit in the bedroom and turn it on.
However, given the evolution of electricity prices, this solution can cost us a fortune by the end of the month. Not to mention that it is not a very eco-friendly action.
So let's see how to avoid heat at night or, at least, make it more bearable without resorting to an air conditioning unit.
Open or close the windows
How to sleep with heat without dying in the attempt? Of course, opening the windows is the obvious alternative that we all think of first.
However, depending on the area and the type of building construction, it may happen that the outside nighttime temperature is higher than that of the inside of the house.
If this is the case, at the beginning of the night we will resist the natural impulse to open them. When dawn approaches, it will be time to do so, as that period is always the coolest on muggy days.
The fan, an economical option but with limited effectiveness
It is true that the cooling effectiveness of a fan is nothing compared to that of a powerful air conditioning unit, but sometimes it will save us from having to resort to the latter.
The electricity consumption of a fan is about 5% of that of an air conditioning unit. The fan will not lower the ambient temperature, but the circulation of air will cause sweat to evaporate more quickly, resulting in a refreshing effect.
If we also place one or two buckets of cold water with ice in the room, as a complement to the fan's action, we will achieve that the ambient temperature of the bedroom drops a couple of degrees, as long as we ensure that the water is cold enough.
A two-degree drop may seem small, but in extreme heat situations, it can make the difference between falling asleep or not.
Later, we will see two more ways to reduce the ambient temperature of the bedroom by a couple of degrees, although perhaps those suggestions may not please all readers.
Take a moderately warm shower before going to bed
Yes, you read that right, and you are probably wondering: how am I not going to sleep with heat if I have previously showered with hot water?
Contrary to what you might think, there is a physical explanation for why it is more advisable to shower with slightly warm water than with cold water:
If we shower with cold water, we will lose body temperature quickly. But the body will react by trying to restore normal body temperature (between 36 °C and 37 °C) as soon as possible, which will result in a nearly immediate feeling of heat.
On the other hand, with slightly warm water, we will not feel immediate relief, but the body will activate all the mechanisms it has to lower the temperature, increasing body perspiration.
The consequence is that, after finishing our shower, for a few minutes we will feel a certain refreshing sensation.
Don't get too close to your spouse or nighttime companion
It is well known that short distances between spouses and similar relationships carry predictable and certain dangers. This basic principle of living as a couple holds true, especially when it comes to sleeping in a room that is heated like an oven.
Therefore, on those infernal nights, try to maintain distance from your partner even in bed. Remember that a resting person emits around 100 W of heat, which is equivalent to almost 90 Kcal per hour. A significant source of heat.
If there are free bedrooms available, a good idea is to sleep in separate rooms when the heat is too much. Believe it or not, the temperature difference in the room at dawn, after a full night of shared rest, can exceed 2 °C.
Send the dog to sleep elsewhere
The same applies to humans also applies to pets, especially large ones. A large dog will emit as much heat or more than an adult person.
So, if you share a bedroom with the dog, put it to sleep somewhere else and you will lower the bedroom temperature by another 2 °C. You will appreciate it, and there is no doubt that the dog will too.
Use breathable bedding and pajamas
Cotton and linen sheets are the most suitable for summer nights when the heat is intense. A more economical option is tergal sheets, a synthetic fabric that is also very cool.
These fabrics are also excellent for summer pajamas and nightgowns, although on particularly oppressive days we may want to do without them.
And a suggestion that may seem outlandish: a nightgown is the best solution for sleeping in summer if we do not want to do without all clothing during sleep. So, if you are a man, why not give it a try?
Moisten pajamas and sheets with a spray
Believe it or not, this system is quite effective. Water sprayed on sheets and pajamas evaporates slowly, helping to significantly lower the temperature of your body and the area where you rest.
Although the room temperature will not drop, the thermal sensation experienced will be significantly lower.
Use a breathable mattress and pillow
As we pride ourselves on being mattress specialists, we have left this relevant issue for last.
A quality mattress, made with highly breathable materials, will not reduce the ambient temperature of the room, but it will prevent the area of the mattress that is in contact with your body from overheating to 36 or 37 °C, which is the normal body temperature.
When it is very hot, contact with surfaces that are at such a high temperature produces a feeling of discomfort that is hard to bear.
In this sense, choosing mattresses that do not retain heat, such as pocket spring mattresses, is an effective measure to avoid the feeling of suffocation from contact.
And the same goes for the pillow: a breathable pillow will alleviate the feeling of discomfort and unease caused by summer heat.
So if you have doubts about which mattress and pillow to choose to avoid sleeping with heat in summer, at https://muellesensacados.es we will be happy to resolve them and recommend the ideal summer mattress and pillow, taking into account your body and functional characteristics.