I'm a Hot Sleeper: How to Sleep Cooler

Everyone knows how difficult it is to fall asleep (and stay asleep) when you feel overheated or sweaty in bed. Yet, we’ve all been there—and many of us would probably fall into the category of being a “hot sleeper.” 

In fact, sleeping in a hot environment has been proven by scientists to have a direct negative impact on sleep quality, which could affect other aspects of health such as one’s mood and immune system efficacy. 

There are several reasons why individuals sleep hot (or experience night sweats regularly), according to the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) including:

• Using too many blankets or wearing too much clothing while sleeping;
• Exercising shortly before bed 
• Drinking a hot beverage (like tea) before bed 
• Eating spicy food before bed

Additionally, the AOA said being more prone to sleeping hot may also be the result of certain medical conditions, such as hormone imbalances, bacterial infections, low blood sugar, menopause, and some cancers.

Because sleep quality can have a major impact on your health, it is important to reduce your chances of a hot sleep environment as much as you can. By making a few key changes to your sleep environment, you can help your body sleep cooler at night. 

We all want to be comfy when we sleep, and it’s common to turn to fuzzy materias like fleece, faux fur, or flannel during colder months to make our beds extra cozy.

However, if you’re wanting to keep cool while you sleep, organic cotton is your best bet. Not only is organic cotton incredibly breathable, but it has moisture-wicking qualities to keep you cool.

At Naturepedic, we only use U.S. grown and certified organic cotton as filling for our mattresses, so you never have to worry about synthetic fibers or foams in our products.

By making sure your mattress, bedding, and pajamas are made with organic cotton, you can automatically minimize the heat you experience while sleeping.

This may seem counterintuitive, especially when the sun is shining in the springtime after many months of winter. But keeping your shades down during the day in your bedroom will prevent your bedroom from trapping all that heat from the sun.

Even if you don’t want to keep your curtains closed all day long, consider blocking out the natural light from the hours in the afternoon when the sun is strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

When it comes time to sleep, this simple activity will result in your bedroom feeling airy and cool, rather than stuffy and hot.

Just like organic cotton, organic wool is a great choice material for a cooler sleep.

Topping your mattress with an organic wool protector, like Naturepedic’s Wooly Organic Mattress Topper, will help regulate your body temperature as you sleep.

This is because wool is a naturally moisture-wicking material that can also reduce sweating and feelings of clamminess in bed.

In addition to these 3 tricks for sleeping cool, you can also set your thermostat lower than usual, use a bedside fan, and even freeze your pillowcase on super hot nights. 

To learn more about the impact of your sleep quality on your overall health and wellness, check out our past blog on the link between sleep and stress.