Key Benefits Of Sleeping In A Cooler Room

Cool, calm and comfortable. The Cold Facts Of Better Sleep.
We’re not exactly talking about sub-zero snoozing here. There’s no need to turn your bedroom into a freezer. But there certainly are benefits to keeping things on the cooler side when you drift off to sleep.

If we sleep in sync with our body clock, our body temperature should begin to drop as we get sleepy at night – signalling bedtime. Being in a cooler bedroom can help to reduce body temperature, making it easier to fall asleep. Typically our body temperature continues to decrease throughout the night, reaching its lowest point in the early hours of the morning – shortly before we wake up. At our most active state of sleep (called REM sleep), however, our body temperature then momentarily rises again. Being in a cooler environment makes it easier for our bodies to self-regulate to the ideal temperature, without the interference of additional, external heat.

In winter, we’re likely to turn up the heater and pile on the blankets, thinking that we’ll sleep a lot better. It might seem counterintuitive, but keeping your bedroom cool, even in winter, is preferable to better quality sleep. You have only to think about how difficult it is to sleep through a swelteringly hot night. You’re likely to wake up in a sweat and find it difficult to fall asleep again.

We all know that the better your sleep the night before, the better your day ahead. Keeping your bedroom on the cooler side gives you a better chance of falling asleep and staying asleep. And you will get all the benefits of a deep, restorative sleep. You will likely have more energy during the day, be more alert and get through more. Better sleep is better for your daytime mood. It’s more likely you’ll keep a cool head throughout the day.

Even in winter it is preferable to have airflow through the bedroom. Clean, fresh air is good for deep, clear breathing. Of course, you don’t want to be in an icy draft. During the summer months, you might want to have a gentle fan to disperse warm air. If you have direct sunlight in the early mornings, put up blinds or curtains that block the early morning sun and keep the bedroom temperature cooler.

“There is no overall perfect temperature,” notes Sleep Scientist Dr Dale Rae. “What you want is a cool enough temperature that is comfortable, gets you to relax, and helps you to fall asleep.”

While ideal bedroom temperatures are thought to range from 15°C to 19°C, not everyone has “climate control” in their bedroom. “What matters,” adds Dr Rae, “is finding your own personal level of comfort. Acclimatise your bedroom to what works for you. If you’re waking up during the night feeling stifled, then perhaps open a window just a bit, or consider lighter bedclothes and covering. Your bedroom temperature simply needs to be within a range that allows your body to rest comfortably through the normal sleep cycles. Your body temperature should be able to fluctuate naturally during the night.”

Dial•a•Bed has a range of mattresses specially engineered to absorb and manage body heat. From cooling surfaces to heat-dispersing inner materials and design, let a Dial•a•Bed sleep consultant take you through the many options that will help to afford you your very best sleep. Explore South Africa’s widest range of bed brands at www.dialabed.co.za. Then find your nearest Dial•a•Bed store to test and find your perfect level of comfort and support. Nothing makes your day like a calm, cool night’s sleep. #SleeForLife.