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Dublin Live
National
Kim O'Leary

Chill your bedsheets, drink plenty of water and more tips to get a good night's sleep during summer heat

The summer weather is finally here with Met Eireann forecasting that the mercury is set to rise as high as 24 degrees this week, so getting a good night's sleep is a must.

The national forecaster has said that it is expecting a "prolonged" warm settled spell with high pressure dominating will continue over the June bank holiday weekend. While most Irish homes unfortunately aren't as well equipped to handle warm weather, there are a number of handy tips you can do to help you get a few hours shuteye during the hot spell.

Here's our 10 tips on how to keep yourself cool during the warm spell at night and to improve your sleep.

Read more: Dublin weather: Met Eireann forecasts 'wall-to-wall' sunshine as the capital continues to sizzle

Chill your bedsheets

This useful technique might not be for everyone, but some people find that storing their bedsheets can help them to sweat less during the night and to fall asleep more easily. So, all you have to do is stick your bedsheets in the freezer or fridge for 5-10 minutes.

For those who tend to overheat, this is a tried and tested method that truly helps to keep you feeling cool during warm, muggy nights.

Drink lots of water

Keeping hydrated during warm weather is an essential, as dehydration or heat stroke can strike unexpectedly and ruin your plans. The hotter your body temperature the less likely you are to fall asleep, so it's worth hydrating well in advance before you turn in for the night.

It's best to drink a large glass of water just before going to bed, and to even bring a cold bottle of water to bed to help keep you hydrated during the night which will help you fall asleep easier.

Wear 100% cotton pyjamas

On warm nights, it's best to sleep in loose-fitting pyjamas that are made of natural fabrics like 100% cotton. These will help soak up any night-time sweat as well as let your skin breathe during the night.

Meanwhile, bamboo and silk pyjamas are also effective during warm weather as they when it's cold and cool when the weather is hot. Also make sure you ditch any heavy duvets or blankets for thin sheets made out of a natural fabric like cotton as well.

Sleep with a fan

The best temperature for sleeping is around 18 degrees and the obvious way to keep the air in your room cool is to plug in an electric fan.

The cost of leaving a fan on all night between 10pm and 8am would cost you around 39c in energy costs, which could be worth it on a tropical night.

Spread out

It's best to take up as much of the bed as possible when it's warm out, so spreading your arms out like a starfish is a technique tried and tested by many. The starfish position also helps to increase the air to your arms and legs, which reduces sweating.

Take a warm shower before bed

This might sound counterproductive, but actually taking a warm shower will increase the blood flow to your skin which increases the heat leaving your body. While a cold shower might offer some relief for a few minutes, you'll start to sweat a lot as your body readjusts to the surrounding temperature.

Close your curtains during the day

While it's tempting to leave your curtains open all day to let the fresh air in during a spell of warm weather, it might actually cause your bedroom to become too hot. So, it's best to leave your curtains closed during the hottest parts of the day like midday and the afternoon.

Also, cotton blinds and curtains are really good for the warm weather as they keep the room cool.

Crack open the window

It's best to leave the window open throughout the day and not just when you're heading to bed. Otherwise, the heat will have been building up in your room for the entire day.

Also, while many of us pet lovers allow our pets to share our bed at night, the fewer living creatures in your room will help you feel cooler as they all give off body heat.

Go Commando

If it's too hot under the covers, sleep in the nip on top of your duvet. Some people also find it to be quite liberating.

Hot water bottle filled with cool water

Fill a hot water bottle with iced water and place on the 'cooling points' of your body: knees, ankles, wrists, neck, groin and elbows. This can help reduce sweating and help you to fall asleep quicker.

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