Socks On or Socks Off? Your Body Temperature May Be Affecting Your Sleep
Have you tossed and turned feeling too hot or cold to sleep? Do you share a bed with someone who shivers under blankets while you toss the covers aside? Have you have ever gone to bed in socks only to kick them off a few minutes or hours later?
Whether you sleep alone or share a bed, temperature matters. Fortunately, the science behind sleep has the answers. (We’ll keep the science as nerd-free as possible!) Body temperature is linked to your circadian rhythm, the light and temperature cycle that tells you to fall asleep and wake in the morning. We each have our own rhythm and temperature needs, but there’s common ground that can keep the peace and ensure good rest for hot and cold sleepers.
COLD SLEEPERS
For people with naturally low body temperatures, sleeping in a cold room can result in shivering, which prevents sleep. Unless your nose is icy cold, turning up the heat isn’t the answer. You’ll probably wake up in a sweat and have to turn it back down. Instead of reaching for the thermostat, reach for your flannel pajamas and socks. If you’re still chilly, try adding a blanket or two. Sleeping in a cool room under warm blankets can deliver a comfy, deep sleep. When you’re looking for a mattress, mention that you’re often cold at night, so they can suggest a mattress that will hold body temperature.
HOT SLEEPERS
You know who you are! A cool room is your best friend, but your feet may sometimes feel a little chilly, but blankets and comforters feel too hot. You may be a ‘sheet only’ type. Whatever type of "hottie" sleeper you are- science and technology have your answers. Go for lightweight bed linens made of cotton or linen. Try a cool gel mattress protector designed with cool gel fibers https://www.fostersmattress.com/legget-platt-sleep-chill-blue-crystal-gel-matt-pro.html.
If you’re ready for a new mattress, ask about a comfy gel foam mattress https://www.fostersmattress.
SUMMER
We’ve all found ourselves awake on a hot summer night. That’s because summer heat can throw your circadian rhythm for a loop. Your body naturally associates heat with activity and wakefulness. Your body naturally gets warmer when you’re active and cooler at rest, which is why you can sometimes feel your temperature rise in the morning. This is also why good sleep requires a cool room. If you can’t cool your room well enough, science has solutions here, too. Add a cool gel mattress protector in the summer. Its cooling crystal gel fibers absorb body heat and let you sleep cool.
SHEETS AND PAJAMAS MATTER
Whether you wake up sweating or shivering, what you put on your bed and wear to bed matters. For coldies, flannel or knit pajamas will be your best bets, and keep socks in your nightstand. As for sheets, flannel and knit sheets are inexpensive and cozy. If you want to splurge, good quality 800 to 1000 thread count sheets are heavier, hold body heat, and can be worthy investments.
Hotties? Don’t go bare! Lightweight fabrics cool better than bare skin, light cotton pajamas can help lower your body temperature and deepen your sleep. Skip the 600 thread count sheets. Think cotton percale sheets or natural linen. Percale is light, cool, crisp and breathable. It’s also far less expensive than high thread count sheets. Natural linen will always look wrinkled and rumpled, but its light and airy and naturally minimizes bacteria.
DON’T FORGET YOUR MATTRESS
today are better than ever, built to give you a vast variety of support from ultra soft to plush and yet firm. Innovative materials deliver a customized sleep experience. Let a Foster’s Mattress professional know if you tend feel too warm or too cool when you sleep, and we’ll deliver two things: the mattress that’s made for you and better nights of sleep for years to come.
