There is nothing worse than trying to get to sleep during the warmer weather. Particularly as British homes are just not built for dealing with the hotter temperatures we are experiencing lately.
There are many ways we have been trying desperately to get a decent kip during these summer months. Some might use a fan, while others throw open all the windows. Many try cool showers, particularly before bed.
But these more obvious methods often do not have the lasting effect, to get you through the night feeling comfortably cool. BirminghamLive writer David Bentley reveals the cheaper and more effective option that many of us many not have even considered:
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"I decided to try another idea. And it's really cheap and simple. It's a reversal of the idea of a hot water bottle in the winter and it works a treat if you do it properly. Having tried a hot water bottle that just has cold water in it instead, I found the effect didn't last long, so I went for a genius hack involving icepacks that cost about £1 each.
"Icepacks are usually kept permanently in the freezer, often for use in one of those cool boxes you take on a picnic. All you need to do is take one out at night and pop it into a spare pillowcase from the airing cupboard, then put it in the bed where your feet can touch it. Don't totally wrap it up in the pillowcase or you'll reduce the cooling effect.
"The pillowcase takes away the shock of something so cold touching warm bare skin - but you can try it without a covering if you dare. I found that using a pillowcase also absorbs any freezer moisture on the outside of the icepack. Putting your feet on the icepack is pure bliss and you can feel the sizzling heat draining out of your body. The effect seemed to last for ages and it certainly helped me nod off.
"If you opt for a multipack then you can go downstairs and get another from the freezer when you wake in the night and find the one in the bed has warmed up too much. Or it will mean you'll have enough to share around with all the family.
"Icepacks can vary in price, of course, and they can be bought individually if you have limited freezer space or are not keen on a whole batch of them rattling around. But I do think the best bet is to get a set of them in one go, as it seems to work out cheaper.
"I looked on Amazon and found six icepacks for £6.99 - that's £1.16 apiece and virtually the same as I had purchased from a store - and another listing with six icepacks for £8.99, which is £1.50 each. I also spotted a pack of three for £4.69 - about £1.56 each. Argos also sells icepacks - these £16 lunch pack ones."
