Home LivingWellnessSleepThis is the ideal temperature for sleep, according to scientistsNeed a good night’s sleep? Make sure your bedroom is the right temperatureWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

Home LivingWellnessSleepThis is the ideal temperature for sleep, according to scientistsNeed a good night’s sleep? Make sure your bedroom is the right temperatureWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

Need a good night’s sleep? Make sure your bedroom is the right temperature

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Mikhail Nilov / Pexels)

Best sleep temperature, curly haired woman sleeping under a cosy duvet

(Image credit: Mikhail Nilov / Pexels)

For optimal physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing, it’s important to prioritise sleep. From investing in thebest mattressto creating your own sleep routine and environment, having a good night’s rest can make a world of difference to how you feel and perform day after day.

One thing that’s important to consider when setting up the perfect sleep environment is temperature. The temperature in your bedroom can have an effect on whether you have a restful night or not. If you’re too hot, you’ll find yourself flinging off the covers, tossing and turning and covered in sweat. But if you’re too cold, you’ll burrow deep under the covers and your muscles will take in the chill, making you feel stiff and sore when you wake up.

Between 20 and 25°C, the temperature inside is warm but not too hot or cold, allowing people to fall asleep more easily and sleep more deeply. But what happens if these conditions aren’t met? Let’s find out.

How does temperature affect sleep?

The main reason why temperature has an effect on sleep is because you need your body temperature to drop in order to fall asleep. When you’re getting ready for bed, your body temperature naturally drops which signals to the brain that it’s time to go to sleep. This drop in temperature starts about two hours before you go to sleep which coincides with the release of melatonin, the sleep hormone which helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle.

Having a bedroom at the optimal temperature can help encourage this natural temperature process to happen and send clearer signals to the brain and body that it’s time to go to bed. Many studies have also shown thatsleeping in a cooler roomorwearing socks to bedcan help with temperature regulation which can encourage you to fall asleep faster, sleep deeper and wake up less times in the night.

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How to maintain the best sleep temperature

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Sleep consultation experience

(Image credit: Cottonbro Studio / Pexels)

Stick to a regular sleep schedule

One of the most importanttips for great sleep hygieneis to keep to a regular sleep schedule. Your sleep and nighttime routine is completely unique, but making sure you go to bed at the same time every night ensures you’re getting enough sleep to perform properly the next day. Having a tight schedule also means your body will get into the habit of feeling sleepy at a specific time which will help you drift off easier.

Change your bedding with the seasons

For better temperature control, always consider the type ofbeddingyou’re using. When it comes to thebest duvetor blankets, it’s important to have a duvet that caters to the season. While you can get all season duvets, sleep experts recommend getting a summer duvet and a winter duvet. As mentioned in ourduvet size guide, you should move to a higher tog in the winter and a lower tog in the summer (seewhen should I change to a warmer duvetfor more details). For those who feel the heat regardless of the weather, investing in amattress cooling padcould solve your problems.

Ventilate your room during the day

Getting air and light into your room during the day keeps your environment cooler, fresher and more hygienic. When it’s time to go to bed, your room should be at a cool temperature which is said to help you sleep better. Keeping the window slightly open while you sleep will help your room come to that perfect sleeping temperature and will make sure you’re still getting fresh air.

Customise your thermostat

If you have thebest smart thermostatinstalled, you can set routines around your home to make sure each room is heated or cooled appropriately. For example, you can customise your thermostat to between 20 and 25°C in your bedroom when you plan on going to sleep to ensure its at the best temperature for sleep.

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