9 Tips To Upgrade Your Sleep for Summer
The sun is shining, the temperature is rising and summer has arrived! Being in Ontario, we all know how much we dream and live for the summer season. While we, as Canadians, love to prep our outdoor spaces and gardens for the summer, very few of us spend time prepping our bedrooms for summer.
Why do you need to update your bedroom for summer?
The changing seasons do impact our sleep. The temperature, change of daylight and shifts in our energy levels impacts how we sleep at night. In order to continue to get quality sleep in the summer, there are alterations you can make to your bedroom to help. Some of these mimic our tips for winter sleeping, but many are different.
9 tips to have better sleep this summer
1. Do a deep clean.
This is always our top tip for any change-of-season bedroom refresh, but it’s even more important for the summer. Winter months tend to have us hibernating at home. For the summer, throw open windows, clean up those dust-bunnies and breathe fresh air into your sleep space. A cluttered space can actually make it harder to sleep, to take advantage of the weather to clean out your bedroom. Don’t forget to clean under the bed!
2.Install blackout curtains or blinds.
Sleeping in a dark room is one of the best ways to improve your sleep. Light and darkness are what trigger our sleep and wake cycles. Having a light bedroom can throw this biological cycle off. With the sun setting later and later in the summer, having a dark room can be harder–especially for those who need to go to bed earlier. Keep your bedroom dark by installing blackout curtains or blinds to block out the bright sunlight.
3. Test out or install a fan or air conditioner.
Sleeping in a cool room is so important for your sleep. Our bodies get sleepier and ready for sleep by cooling down. If your room is too hot, it can make it hard to fall asleep. Ideally, you sleep at a temperature between 60-67°F (15-19°C).
4. Check your mattress and pillows.
Ensure your mattress and pillows are comfortable and supportive. Pillows should be replaced every 1-2 years so, it may be time to get a new one. For the hot summer months, you may want to swap to more breathable materials like latex, memory foam or gel-infused pillows.
5. Choose breathable bedding.
One of our recommendations for winter sleeping is to update your sheets to flannel or warmer materials. Summertime is when you swap it right back! Pull our lightweight, breathable bedding like cotton or linen to keep you cool and promote air circulation while you sleep. If you’re a sweaty or really hot sleeper, invest in a set of moisture-wicking sheets to keep you cool and dry at night.
6. Elevate your bed.
Airflow is one of the best ways to stay cool in the summer. If your bed sits right on the ground, it is time to lift it up. Using bed risers or a bed lift to get your mattress off the floor can promote air circulation and help you stay comfortable.
7. Crack a window.
We know when your AC is going or when it’s really hot out, you won’t want to do this one. But, on those nights when the temperature drops or on days when the wind is blowing, open your windows and let fresh air in. Not only is fresh air great for your sleep and health, the circulating air is helpful to keep you cool.
8. Draw the curtains during the day.
Remember those blackout curtains we mentioned? Not only are they great for keeping your room dark, but they can also help keep your room cool when the sun is shining. Unless you work in your bedroom or need to use the space during the day, consider keeping the blinds closed–or partially closed–at least during the afternoon when the sun is at its brightest.
9. Experiment with different bedding layers.
Many people like to sleep with some sort of blanket but a full duvet can be too much. We recommend seeking a linen or cotton blanket that can cover you without getting too hot. Test our different layers and mix and match bedding until you find a combination that works for you.