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Getting a good night’s sleep is one of the most important things you can do for your health and well being. When you are not well rested, you’ll feel it–and people around you may know it! Some of the short-term problems associated with sleep deprivation include a lack of alertness, impaired memory, and even a greater likelihood of car accidents, according to Cleveland Clinic.
Maybe you aren’t sleeping well because of stress or too many cups of coffee or tea after 1 p.m. But there’s another, weird thing that could also be keeping you from getting a good night’s sleep.
Luckily, it’s a sleep deprivation culprit that’s a snap to fix.
You're Too Warm
You may long to be warm and snuggly at night in bed, but being too warm could cause you to lose sleep. The ideal temperature for sleep at night is between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Sleep.org.
When we sleep, our body temperature naturally decreases and starting off in a cool enough room can prompt your body to settle at its optimum sleeping temperature much sooner than if you're roasting in an 80-degree bedroom. If you find yourself tossing and turning at the beginning of the night, or waking up several times during the night, check your thermostat and set it to adjust to somewhere within the recommended temperature range about an hour before your bedtime.
How A Too Hot Room Affects Sleep
So, what's the big deal if your room isn't the ideal temperature for sleep? When your bedroom is warm, you can feel restless and the quality of your REM (rapid eye movement) sleep can be affected. This stage of sleep we often think of as the dream state is crucial because it's the restorative stage of our sleep cycle. Any disruptions in REM will be felt the next day and could explain why you feel groggy and keep reaching for coffee.
Wear Socks To Bed
One way you can cut down on the length of time you spend tossing and turning at night is by pulling on a pair of warm socks. It may seem to contradict the first rule about sleeping in a cool room, but it will affect your body temperature and help you reach an ideal internal temperature for sleep.
Some people naturally have colder extremities. And, according to a 1999 study, wearing socks to bed and warming up those feet can dilate the blood vessels in your feet, decrease heat loss, and help you fall asleep faster.
For more tips on getting a better night's sleep, check out Why you should never sleep without socks on and You should be sleeping on your left side on SHEFinds.com.
[Photos: Shutterstock]
