There are so many lovely things to enjoy during the warmer weather - picnics, trips to the beach, BBQs, wearing sandals, the list is endless. But one negative to lovely hot days is the sticky nights that are usually follow. Intense heat and humidity can make it hard to sit comfortably let alone lie down and sleep for seven hours plus. While some properties are equipped with air conditioning, the automatic solution, not all of us are that lucky, so as the thermostat rises, we have to look to other means of keeping cool and getting a decent nights rest.
Yes, it's possible to get a cool night's sleep with cranking up the air conditioner. © Cover Media
First off, it's important to choose the right kind of bedding. Just like the clothes you wear to go out in the sun, it's important to choose the fabrics that are breathable and can help keep you cool. So put aside any satin, silk, polyester or wool-blend sheets and reach for light coloured bed linen made from lightweight cotton. These will promote ventilation and airflow in the bedroom.
If you don't have air-conditioning, but you do have a fan, there are a few things that you can do. You can try creating a cross-breeze by positioning a fan across from a window, so the wind from outside and the fan combine in a cooling cross-breeze. Or you can get buy a bag of ice, or freeze a load of ice cube trays then fill a bucket or large bowl with the cubes. Stick them in front of the fan and the breeze should pick up cold water from the ice’s surface as it melts, creating a cooling mist.
However if it's just all down to you to keep cool without the aid of electronic cooling devices, don't despair, there are things you can do. Start by applying cold packs or a cold flannel to pulse points such as your wrists, neck, elbows, groin, ankles, and behind the knees. Also try applying the less is more approach to what you wear to bed. Go for loose cotton tops and shorts. However going nude isn't always the best idea, as some people argue that the fact you aren't wearing anything means the sweat will stay on your body instead of being taken away by the fabric.
Finally make use of that hot water bottle by filling it with cold water and then sticking it in the freezer. Sure enough you'll have a bed-friendly ice-pack on hand for when the heat becomes too much. © Cover Media