10 Ways to Beat the Warm Nights

Summer is here! Great, so we can go out to the beach, have awesome barbecues and enjoy our day! But the part of the day we are dreading is stepping into our bedrooms, laying there feeling like you’re slowly melting during the warm nights. But have no fear, here are 10 ways to beat the summer heat at night.

1. Crack a window

About 1 hour before bed open the windows in your bedroom and keep your bedroom door open. Make sure you close your windows before bed. During the night the temperature is at its lowest at around 3 am and the body’s temperature also is at the lowest if the body gets too cold, your neck and shoulder muscles may tense up while you sleep. This could either wake you up or give you a neck ache in the morning which is not fun.

2. Resist the urge to sleep naked

As much as it’s tempting to sleep in the nude when it feels like you’re on fire and you can’t lose any more layers without being indecent. It’s a lot better to sleep in PJ’s made from natural materials. Our favourite fabric is bamboo, however, cotton or hemp fabric will do the trick too as the natural fibres wick moisture off of the body keeping you cool and dry at night.

3. Tie that hair up!

Although your luscious locks look great during the day, they can make you overheat during the night. Hair around your neck can increase your body temperature, it’s like your own natural scarf! Great for the winter, not so great for the summer… so keep those locks at bay.

4. Run your wrists under cold water

You can use this tip not just for bedtime but whenever you feel warm and need to cool down fast! Run the cold tap and put your wrists under it for around 30 seconds. Now, this may seem silly but your body has radiator points and your wrists are one of them. If you cool them down it will ultimately cool down your body temperature. You can also do this by dipping your feet in cool water and it should give the same desired effect!

5. Ditch the thick duvets

Ditch those winter heavy duvets and grab a summer duvet (anything under 10.5 tog will do) and if you pair it up with our breathable bedding set and your bed will feel amazing! As the bamboo fibre in the bedsheets not only wicks moisture from the body but also naturally regulates temperature, keeping you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Learn more about our breathable bamboo duvet.

6. Big fluffy pillows are a no-go

Big fluffy pillows are great, but not during the warm nights. They aren’t the best thing to sleep on as the filling inside the pillow retains the heat from your head. We suggest a firmer pillow with no loose stuffing such as our Panda Memory Foam Bamboo Pillows, as they won’t retain as much heat and, combined with the bamboo pillowcase, will help keep you cool throughout the night.

7. Think about food

No… we don’t mean lay in bed and think of a cheeseburger and a milkshake! Try and plan your meals strategically. For example: eating little and often or eating a light meal 2-3 hours before bed will reduce heat produced by metabolism when you sleep as the food will be easier to digest.

8. Sleep like a mummy

Many people suggest the ‘Egyptian Method’ which involves getting a bed sheet/ towel or something that you can wrap entirely around you, soaking it in cold water, wring it out, wrapping it around you and bob’s your uncle! Instant cooling… however, if you are in a humid area we do not suggest this one! And make sure you put a dry towel under you so you don’t soak your mattress!

9. Use a cool washcloth

Many people dampen a washcloth and put it in the freezer then apply it to their forehead/back of the neck when going to bed. This keeps you cool for around 30 mins so a perfect amount of time to nod off! Please be careful when using frozen products as if they are too cold they can make you get too cold too quick and could result in your neck muscles tensing up and you waking up with a neck ache. 🙁

10. Go old school!

If all else fails… go old school! Grab an electric fan, some ice, and a mixing bowl. Place the ice in the bowl, then place the bowl in front of your fan, turn the fan on and voila! A cool breeze to help you get those glorious hours of sleep! The way this works is when the ice melts it releases cool air and the fan just disperses this around the room.

There we have it! 10 ways to beat the summer heat! Do you use another technique not mentioned on this list? Have you tried some of these? Please let us know by tweeting us! @mypandalife