Tag Archive for: good night’s sleep

A comfortable mattress with thinner summer-time bedding area perfect for good sleep on a hot night

The 5 Ways to Get Good Sleep on a Hot Night

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For most of the country, summer is hot, and that can make sleeping difficult. Whether you have air conditioning or not, your house is undoubtedly hotter.

So, how can you improve your sleep when it’s hot for months or you live in a warm climate?

Let’s look at five ways to get good sleep on a hot night.

#1: Cool the Room During the Day

When you keep your shades, blinds, or curtains open all day, you’ll find that the room heats up considerably.

This is the last thing you want to do if you want a cooler place to sleep at night. By keeping your room cool all day, you have a better chance of keeping it cool while you sleep.

Most people agree that the best temperature for sleeping is between 66-69 degrees. Even if you use your air conditioner and fans, you want to keep your shades shut so you can keep your bedroom cool during the day.

#2: Buy a Cooling Mattress

If you buy a nice, high-quality mattress, you’ll find that you feel cooler when you sleep on it. This is because nicer mattresses are better able to disperse your body heat. So ultimately you end up sleeping cooler.

Most memory foam mattresses will allow you to sleep cooler.

#3: Get Prepared

How do you prepare for a good sleep when it’s warm outside and in your house?

You want to prepare the room so there is a good breeze blowing.

If it’s cool where you live in the evening, you can open your windows and let the fresh air and breeze in. Be careful, though, and make sure it’s not loud in your neighborhood.

Yet, if you don’t live somewhere where it cools down at night, you definitely want to use a fan or even several.

Set up a couple of fans around your bedroom so you get a strategic breeze that’s not annoying but is soothing.

You may also find the sound of the fan and the white noise it makes easier to fall asleep while helping you stay asleep longer.

In addition, if you run your air conditioner, consider turning it down a little at night. It’s always better to sleep cool.

Finally, make sure to sleep with the door open. If you close the door, the heat has nowhere to go.

#4: Limit Your Bed Guests

If you have kids and pets in bed with you, it’s a good idea to send them to their own beds. Keep your bed for you and your partner.

While you may like cuddling with your partner, your pets, and even your small children during the cold winter evenings, you want to limit your bed partners when it’s hot because togetherness raises the temperature in the room.

You’ll find the more creatures in your bed, the harder time you’ll have at cooling off. Bottom line – the fewer bodies the better.

Another good idea is to spread out on your bed, so you and your partner aren’t so close to one another. And make sure the fans blow on everyone who likes the cool breeze.

#5: Cool Your Bed

If you want good sleep on a hot night, you can also try sleeping in lighter pajamas. Now is not the time for long sleeves and long pants or flannel pajamas.

Sleep in breathable, lightweight fabrics when it’s hot. Also, look for more natural materials and fibers as they make it easier for your body to regulate its temperature.

In addition, consider switching out your bedding for summer weight sheets, lightweight blankets, and a thin comforter. It can be helpful to have a winter set and a summer set that helps you feel cooler when sleeping.

Final Thoughts

To get the best night’s sleep on a hot night, you want to keep your body temperature at normal or even slightly less than your normal temperature.

By keeping your body at these temperatures, you are better able to sleep. It’s a proven fact that sleeping colder can help you sleep better. In fact, a Harvard study found that your body temperature drops right before you go to sleep. Then your body reduces its core temperature while you sleep by 1 to 2°F. This helps you conserve energy.

Therefore, when you sleep in a colder room, your temperature drops faster, and you fall asleep and stay asleep easier.

As you improve your bedroom for a good night’s sleep on a hot night, don’t forget to forgo the caffeine after an early dinner, avoid screens a few hours before bedtime, and take a warm bath or shower before bedtime.

With the five ways to get good sleep on a hot night we discussed in this article, you may be able to hit those core temperature numbers for a great night of sleep!

Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash

A comfortable bed in a bedroom that helps you avoid the mistakes of buying a mattress

6 Mistakes You Might Be Making When It Comes to Sleep

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Buying a mattress is one of the most important buying decisions you make during your lifetime. But why?

The average person spends 26 years of their life sleeping. That’s a lot of hours, and if you aren’t sleeping on the right mattress, you may sacrifice sleep quality and end up with lots of aches and pains.

To help you, we look at six mistakes you might be making when it comes to sleep. We look at some basic sleep solutions as well as ways to avoid mattress buying mistakes.

#1: Buying Based on Word of Mouth

While buyers today do get advice from friends and family, you want to remember that your needs are different than someone else’s.

You have a different sleep style and a sleep position that is unique to you. So, while someone may love one type of mattress, that one won’t always be the best mattress for you.

Try to steer clear of others’ recommendations and talk to the salespeople at the mattress company. Tell them what you’re looking for, and they can direct you to the appropriate mattress.

Finally, you can look at online reviews if they’re available. They can provide you with some insight into the quality of the mattress. Do be careful, though, and try to read between the lines, especially on the negative reviews.

#2: Buying the Cheapest Mattress

Let’s face it, mattresses are expensive. However, you do want to think about how many years you’ll be sleeping on the mattress. When you factor this in, the cost seems more reasonable.

You’ll find that the cost of mattresses varies based on material, warranty, quality, and construction.

So, you don’t always want to look at the cheapest mattress. You can find mattresses that fit into your budget that are still high quality and not too cost-prohibitive for you.

#3: Buying a Mattress That’s Too Firm

Some people think that if they buy a firm mattress, it will last them longer. Yet, this is one of the biggest mattress buying mistakes.

In addition, many people buy firm mattresses because they think they’ll sleep better. This may be true for some people, but the vast majority of people will be better off on a medium-firm mattress.

If you buy a mattress that is too firm, you may end up with pressure points on your hips, back, and shoulders. You want to make sure your mattress conforms to your body, so your spine is left in a supportive, neutral position while you sleep.

#4: Buying Based on Too Many Choices

Yes, you want to try out your mattress when you’re shopping in a store. But you also don’t want to try out too many mattresses.

If you do this, it will become overwhelming and confusing.

Your best bet is to tell the salesperson your budget and ask them to point you in the direction of a soft, medium, and firm mattress to try. This way you only have a handful of choices to choose from.

Spend about 10-15 minutes lying down on each one, and then make your decision.

#5: Buying Without Considering Sleep Position

The most important thing you should tell your salesperson is the position you sleep in. This means explaining whether you are a stomach sleeper, a side sleeper, or a back sleeper.

Don’t make the mattress buying mistake of buying without accommodating your sleep position.

For example, back sleepers usually do best on a medium firm mattress because it helps keep their spines aligned. A hybrid model works great.

For stomach sleepers, an innerspring or hybrid model will give them firm support for more comfort.

Side sleepers may prefer a softer memory foam mattress because of the pressure on their shoulders and hips.

For combination sleepers, a medium firm mattress can help provide comfort and pressure point relief.

#6: Buying Without Knowing Mattress Types

Another mattress buying mistake involves purchasing a mattress without knowing the general types available to you.

Here is a brief overview:

  • Memory foam mattresses are comfortable, provide pressure relief, isolate motion from sleeping mattress partners, and cradle you as you sleep. They are generally less expensive than hybrid models.
  • The traditional innerspring mattress combines coils with padding. They are generally cooling, durable, and bouncy.
  • A hybrid mattress combines springs with memory foam. They provide support and pressure relief and are generally cool mattresses to sleep on.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know six mattress buying mistakes to avoid, you’ll find there are a few more ways to get a better night’s sleep.

First, consider going to sleep on your new mattress at the same time each night. This helps you get into a rhythm that works for you.

Next, create a good sleep environment. You want your bedroom to be quiet, dark, and just the right temperature. Outfit your new mattress with comfortable pillows and bedding. And turn off your devices an hour before bedtime.

You’re now ready for a great night’s sleep, 26 years of your life!

Photo by dada_design on Unsplash