Getting a healthy night's sleep is crucial for overall well-being. Research has shown that sleep impacts growth and stress hormones, immunity, appetite, breathing, blood pressure and cardiovascular health. Sleep is when the body is able to repair and regenerate, while the mind relaxes.
At the same time, sleep planner and expert Christina Bergman Ribel reports that the majority of her clients have problems with restful sleep due to running to warm at night. With that in mind, here are Christina Bergman Ribel's top tips for getting more restful and rejuvenating hours by achieving the perfect sleeping temperature.
1. Set the temp for success. Start your bedtime routine by letting air into the bedroom. Open your windows if possible to let fresh air in, or set AC and cool the room down to 68-70 degrees.
2. Cool down. Take a short, cold shower before bedtime to help bring your body temperature down. Keep a glass of cold water on your bedside table, and sleep nude if possible.
3. Invest in a comfortable, breathable mattress. Change pillows every six months, as they absorb body oil, dead skin cells and hair, which can create the perfect environment for dust mites and aggravate allergies. Bedding can play an important role in enhancing the quality of the sleep you get.
4. Get sweat-free sheets. The best sheets for someone who gets hot during the night—even heavy sweaty sleepers—are sheets made from high performance, athletic grade breathable fibers. These help keep hot sleepers cool and cool sleepers cozy!
Christina Bergman Ribel developed The Sleep Plan to help individuals, couples and families reach optimal sleep by following a set of simple to implement tailored steps.