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Don’t sacrifice sleep in the warmer temperatures
Published on 03 June 2023 • Last updated 0 minutes ago • read for 4 minutes
Increase your comfort and cooling for a better night’s sleep in the summer. Wedge Pillow with KulKote Cooling Layer, $295, Polysleep.ca
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I like hot summer days, but like most people, I sleep much better at night when it’s cooler. I like to turn on the air conditioning, turn on a fan or open the windows when needed. But I’m happy to report that there are also new bedfellows to help stave off the heat during those sweltering summer nights.
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From cool tech finds to breathable bedding, here are a handful of ways to beat the heat. I even share my grandma’s “no money, no fan” tips for keeping a cool head. Trust me, this summer you won’t be tossing and turning all night when the thermometer reaches its peak.
Cool technology
Cooling technology, as it’s known in the industry, claims to help people sleep better by keeping them, well, cool. Although it sounds like scientific language, cooling technology simply involves drawing away or absorbing body heat. It can be anything from gel-infused memory foam to a mattress made with coils of wire designed to increase airflow under the body. One of those marvels of cooling technology has both a cooling effect and improved sleeping positions – it’s perfect for people who suffer from various ailments.
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The Polysleep wedge cushion is a soft, adjustable elongated triangle that adapts to different sleeping positions. Whether you are a side sleeper, suffer from sleep apnea, acid reflux, incessant snoring or general discomfort, this wedge is for you. Do you have a mother-to-be friend who can’t get comfortable at night? This will be her salvation. The wedge pillow is made with high-quality foam and a layer of KulKote technology that absorbs and dissipates heat for a cooler, more comfortable feel. Comfortable and cool? That sounds like a summer dream.
Be stylish and stay cool this summer. Stadler Form Otto Portable Bamboo Fan, $369, Rona.ca
Go with the flow
Summer nights are often cooler than during the day. That’s the perfect time to open a window or skylight and let in the sleep-inducing breeze. If you don’t have air conditioning, good ventilation is a must – and there are good, old, reliable fans for that. Whether placed in a window, mounted on the ceiling or placed on the table, fans help move the air, creating a cooling effect. Bonus: the soft hum blocks outside noise, because let’s face it, if you can’t sleep because of the heat, any noise is annoying. Attempted Stadler Form Otto portable bamboo fan.
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An outward facing window fan can cool the house by pushing hot air out and drawing in cooler air. Of course, this only works if the air outside is cooler than inside. A unit like this costs between $35 and $100. Tip: Buy the multi-speed duo fan to adjust the airflow. And don’t worry – an open window with a fan won’t let mosquitoes in as long as the air blows out. Interestingly, most homes already have this airflow system. It’s called your bathroom fan. A similar trick is to leave the bathroom fans on on the upper floors of your house. This pushes warm air out from above and draws the cooler air from the lower floors upwards. If you want to keep it cool with a ceiling fan, make sure the blades rotate counterclockwise.
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Ceiling fans without the light fixtures attached are quieter (no rattling pull chains and light hoods to contend with). Tip: When buying a ceiling fan, look for fans that only use DC voltage. DC is a continuous electrical charge that saves you about $40 each year on your electric bill. A small table fan can also be your savior on a hot night. It’s best to look for those that don’t just oscillate the air through the blades, but gently sway them back and forth – moving the air around the room encourages cooler air into the room. If it doesn’t oscillate (and just blows the air forward, not back and forth), aim the fan toward the lower part of the room to push the cooler air upward toward you.
Tried and true
So maybe it’s the hottest night of the summer and you’re staying somewhere without a fan or air conditioning. Or you’re camping and there’s no breeze coming off the lake to cool you down while you sleep in your tent. This is my grandmother’s proven way to stay cool and fall asleep. (I do this at least once a summer to help me out on those hottest nights). It’s that simple and it really works. Just put a towel on the bottom of your bed, soak a pair of cotton socks in cold water, squeeze them well and put them on. When your feet are cool, your body cools down very quickly. This old wives’ trick has had me falling asleep in under 20 minutes every time I’ve used it.
A few other granny-endorsed attempts at staying cool? Use percale sheets. They are woven more loosely so that body heat is not trapped. And keep your blinds closed during sunlight hours. They can accumulate five to ten degrees of heat in a room. And grandma’s biggest suggestion? sleep alone. As she used to say, “Unless there’s a diamond involved, no one needs to take that heat.”
Do you have a decor dilemma or do you want more decor inspiration? Follow Karl on Instagram @Karl_Lohnes.
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