Summer nights that do not cool down
Short answer: Cool the room down before you go to bed, and use a thin layer of nightwear and a light sheet. Moving air matters more than the number of degrees. Keep the sun out in the day, air the room in the evening, and leave the duvet aside on warm nights.
How to cool the room
Close windows and curtains during the day so the sun does not heat the room. Open everything once it is cooler outside than indoors, typically late in the evening. Then cool air comes in and warm air leaves. It is a simple habit that costs nothing, yet makes a big difference on a warm night.
Draught and moving air
Moving air often matters more than the number of degrees. Open two windows, or a window and a door, so a draught forms and the air does not just stand still. A fan can help move the air around the room. Sweat evaporates faster in moving air, and that feels cooler on the skin.
Nightwear or nothing
A thin layer of bamboo viscose soaks up sweat and keeps it away from the sheet. With nothing on, the skin turns clammy against the mattress and the sheet soon feels damp. Choose something loose that does not pinch, so air can reach the body. See bamboo sleepwear for women. Many sleep better in a light layer.
The bedding that helps
A thin bamboo sheet draws heat away from the skin faster than cotton does. Put the duvet aside and use only the sheet. That way you still have something light to pull over you if it cools towards morning. Take a look at bamboo sheets and bamboo bedding when thick bedding is too much in summer.
Duvet or no duvet
In summer a light duvet or just a sheet is often enough. A thick winter duvet holds in warmth, and that is exactly what you do not need when the room is warm. If you have a thin summer duvet, bring it out. Otherwise the sheet alone will do.
The shower before bed
A cold shower is tempting, but lukewarm is better. Ice-cold water makes the body produce heat afterwards, so you can end up warmer than before. A lukewarm shower lowers the temperature gently and readies the body for rest. Dry off thoroughly, so the skin is not damp against the sheet.
Why you wake at three
Many wake in the night because the room has not cooled and the body cannot lower its temperature. It is hard to sleep calmly when the body cannot shed its heat. Make the room cooler before bed and see whether it helps. A thin layer on the bed instead of a thick duvet can also do a lot.
The fan all night
A fan can run all night if it does not blow straight at your head. Set it to oscillate, so the air is spread around the room instead of hitting one spot. Place it so it blows across the sheet and body, not into the face. If it gives you a stiff neck, move it further away.
Caring for summer bedding
Summer means more sweat, so sheets get used harder. Change them more often and wash them by the care label. Let them dry fully before they go back on the bed, so they do not smell damp. With a second set of sheets you can always change after a warm night.
Frequently asked questions
Does a fan help all night
Yes, as long as it does not blow straight at your head. Set it to oscillate, so the air moves around the room instead of hitting you in one spot all night.
Is a cold shower a good idea
Lukewarm is better. Ice-cold water makes the body produce heat afterwards, so you risk feeling warmer. Dry off thoroughly before you lie down on the sheet.
Why do you wake at three
Often because the room has not cooled and the body cannot lower its temperature. Cool the room before bed and use a thin layer on the bed instead of a thick duvet.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
