In the summer heat and humidity, especially with air conditioning, sleep can sometimes be difficult. With high heat and humidity levels, the body sweats more during sleep, which leads to more moisture in the air. This is because our sweat glands are directly connected to our hair follicles, so when we produce sweat it comes out through our pores instead of a towel or shower stream.
The combination of hot humid conditions and no airflow in an enclosed bedroom can lead to some difficulties falling asleep or staying asleep. To stay comfortable in these conditions, you might need to adjust your bedding, temperature settings, or even your mattress type if you find that you’re too sweaty for comfort on a standard foam mattress.
Here are a few tips for staying cool and comfortable in your bedroom all summer long!
Change Your Bedding
If you’re using a duvet or comforter, consider changing to a thinner summer blanket. The heavier winter materials will trap too much heat and humidity, plus they’re heavier and will likely make you sweat more than a summer blanket would. The same goes for your sheets. While you should always use the lightest sheets possible, even the lightest sheets are going to retain moisture when the humidity and temperature are very high, so you should opt for something thinner and more breathable.
If you can tolerate going completely without sheets, you can further increase airflow around your body by improvising a bed fan setup. Place a fan (or multiple fans) next to your bed, pointed towards you. This can help reduce sweat buildup around your body and keep you cool and comfortable as you sleep.
Install a Humidifier
If you’ve tried everything and you’re still too hot, consider using a humidifier. Humidifiers work by increasing the humidity in the air, which is the opposite of how air conditioners reduce the humidity. This may sound counterproductive, but it can help a lot with overheating due to the higher rate of evaporation.
Many experts claim that using a humidifier is one of the best ways to stay cool during a heat wave. Humidifiers come in a variety of styles and are fairly cheap to purchase. Many even come with additional functionality such as a built-in fan or lights to create a soothing ambiance.
Open the Windows
If you’re using a humidifier, you may not be able to leave your windows closed due to the buildup of humidity that may occur in your home. However, if you don’t have air conditioning and you’re trying to stay cool, you can help lower the temperature in your room by opening the windows.
Keep in mind that this may not be the best option if there is rain in the forecast, but if you choose to do this on a hot, clear night, the wind that comes in may help to cool the air. Be mindful of bugs and mosquitoes if you go this route, though. You may even consider opening your windows during the day or while you sleep if it’s a particularly hot or humid night. This can help lower the temperature in your room, reduce your energy usage from the AC, and even freshen the air.
However, if you’re worried about noise from traffic or people walking by, consider using a sound machine or soundproof curtains.
Try a New Mattress
If the above tips haven’t worked for you, consider trying a new mattress. This may sound like a drastic measure, but some mattress types, materials, and designs are better than others at keeping you cool and dry while you sleep.
For example, memory foam is known to trap heat and humidity. This is because memory foam has less airflow than other types of foam. If you’re using a memory foam mattress, you may want to try switching to a hybrid foam or latex mattress to stay cooler and drier while you sleep.
If you need help choosing a mattress, check out our guide to buying a mattress. Now, switching to a cooler mattress may not be a complete fix for your sleep troubles, but if you’ve tried everything above and you’re still too hot, it may be time to try a new mattress.
Turn On the Fan
If you don’t want to open the windows or you’re using a humidifier, you can still lower the temperature in your room and boost airflow by turning on the fan. By placing the fan near your bed, you can better distribute the airflow around your body. This can help reduce or eliminate sweat buildup around your body and keep you cooler and drier throughout the night.
You may want to place the fan on a stand or wall mount so that you can direct it towards your body without it getting too close to your bed. Alternatively, you can place the fan on the floor and point it toward the ceiling.
Keep Track of the Temperature and Humidity Levels
If you’re using a fan or humidifier, you may be wondering how to keep track of the temperature and humidity in your room. There are a few options:
- Place a thermometer next to your bed to keep track of the temperature in your room.
- Set up a weather app with a weather alarm to alert you when the temperature or humidity reaches a certain level.
- Use a room thermometer that connects to a mobile app. Keeping track of the temperature and humidity in your room can help you figure out what setting to use on your AC or humidifier and make other adjustments accordingly if necessary. This way, you can stay as comfortable as possible all summer long.
Conclusion
The summer heat and humidity can make it challenging to get a good night’s sleep. However, there are several things you can do to stay cool and comfortable in your bedroom.
First, change your bedding to something lighter and thinner, especially if you’re using a humidifier. You can further boost airflow by using a fan, either near your bed or mounted on the wall.
Keeping tabs on the temperature and humidity of your room can help you make adjustments as needed.
