Now, sweat less and sleep more with these essential cooling tips for hot weather.
Tossing and turning throughout the night? Are you struggling to fall asleep with the rising temperature? You’re not alone. With India’s sweltering summer nights, getting a peaceful sleep can feel like a dream. But worry not! Following are some smart yet simple tips to help you sleep cool—even when the mercury refuses to drop.
Let’s begin with the basics. Your bedding and clothes play a vital role in maintaining body temperature. For this season, ditch synthetic fabrics and embrace breathable and lightweight cotton. Cotton bedsheets and pajamas allow better air circulation to keep you dry and comfortable.
Pro Tip: Try made in India khadi cotton bed linen, perfect for summer!
The human body gets dehydrated quickly, and that also affects sleep quality. Drink sufficient water during the day, but you can go easy before bedtime to avoid mid-night bathroom trips. Coconut water, lemon water and buttermilk are great hydrating options.
Avoid: Caffeinated drinks should be avoided before bed as they raise body temperature and disrupt sleep.
Air conditioning isn’t always a feasible option, considering rising electricity bills and environmental concerns. Keep the curtains closed during the day to prevent excess heat indoors. Also, you can use bamboo or jute blinds for natural insulation. Otherwise, you can keep a bowl of cold water or ice in front of a fan to get the cool air as it blows.
Eco-hack: Hang a damp sheet over the window for a DIY air cooler!
A quick shower half an hour before bed helps your body temperature drop naturally. It’s relaxing, washes off the sweat, and signals to your brain that it’s time to sleep. for more soothing results add a few drops of lavender oil.
Believe it or not, sleeping position makes a lot of difference. While sleeping, spread out like a starfish. The more space your body gets, the better it can release heat. Don't curl up tight as heat gets trapped to make you uncomfortable.
In spite of drinking cold water, if you sleep while taking a cold water bottle, it will give much better results. Wrap a cold water bottle in a thin towel and keep it under your knees or on your neck. It’s a traditional remedy that works like magic for instant cooling. Alternatively, you can keep a hot water bag inside a fridge to use it as a cooling pad.
Your phone, laptop, and even LED bulbs emit a good amount of heat. Turn them off at least 30 minutes before going to bed. Use this time to read a book, listen to soft music, or try some light breathing exercises. Moreover, blue light from screens messes with your sleep-wake cycle!
Heavy dinners with spicy curries, or even late-night snacks raise your metabolism rate as well as body heat. Thus, a light, easy-to-digest meal is always preferable around 8-9 PM. Don't forget to include mint chutney or cucumber raita to your dinner for extra cooling.
Beat the heat and wake up refreshed With these simple hacks!