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Too hot or too cold?

Sometimes it can seem impossible to find a sleep temperature that’s just right.

A woman lying on her back in bed in a jumper, hat and cozy blanket with an eye mask on, sleeping in winter

And this can have a big impact on how well we rest and recover at night.

Sometimes the secret to getting better sleep is simply turning down the thermostat.

What is the best temperature for sleeping?

Thermostat on wall reading 68 degrees Fahrenheit – the optimal temperature for sleeping

Why is there a recommended sleep temperature?

How does temperature help us fall asleep fast?

Your body temperature naturally fluctuates throughout the day and tends to drop as you prepare for sleep.

A women falling asleep on her side in a bed with white sheets

trends to amplify this relationship and support sleep.

Emma Lin, pulmonary and sleep medicine physician.

How does temperature help you sleep through the night?

A woman with an afro sleeping on her side covered in grey duvet while she sweats in her sleep, thinking of a cooling mattress.

It’s not only sleep onset that is impacted by temperature.

Our overall sleep architecture takes a toll too.

“Cooler temperatures prevent overheating, which can causesweatingand discomfort that leads to sleep interruptions,” she adds.

A woman with dark hair sits up in bed blowing her nose because she has a cold

Without adequate time spent in these essentialsleep stages, you won’t wake up feeling refreshed or restored.

Does being too hot or too cold affect sleep differently?

It’s not only bedtime sweaters that suffer.

A woman relaxing with her eyes closed in a candlelit bath

But each temperature woe has a different effect on sleep.

Sleep temperature can also cause respiratory problems.

Here’s how they recommend you do it…

1.

A woman wearing a black sports bra and green trousers stretching at end of bed in dimly lit room with plant

Take a warm shower

Confusingly, exposing yourself to warm temperatures decreases your core body temperature.

“This helps your body release excess heat.”

This mimics the natural cooling process that happens when your body prepares for sleep."

Birds eye view of couple sleeping in Sleep Number Climate360 smart bed with different temperatures on each side

But you’ll want to pick your workout time carefully to prevent a raised body temperature sabotaging your sleep.

When we exercise, our core temperature heats up like a furnace.

Or, follow our guide onhow to exercise for better sleep.

The Eight Sleep Pod 4 on a mattress in a bedroom with the Pod 4 hub next to the bed

Plus, can you really put a price on comfortable sleep?

As a general rule, natural materials trump synthetic materials when it comes to climate control.

Cotton and linen are good choices for bedding, as they allow your body to breathe, explains Harris.

A woman with dark curly hair holds her hand to her forehead in frustration because she cannot sleep at night due to too much light coming in her bedroom window

Collage of testers in different sleep positions

A woman laying awake at night with arms overhead

The image shows the DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress on a grey bed foundation in a neutrally decorated bedroom

Two women sit on a Leesa Legend Hybrid Mattress in a bedroom, testing the feel of the mattress.

The image shows a sleep deprived woman lying in bed and holding her hands over her eyes

A chocolate Easter egg in pink tin foil next to image of blonde woman in purple star patterned pyjamas struggling to sleep in bed with white sheets

Woman lying down on the bed and smiling feeling comfortable

A woman lying on her side sleeping with a handdrawn thought bubble over her head to show she�s thinking

A woman with dark brown hair lies on her side staring at the back of a white alarm clock that shows the time as 2.30am

A woman with short brown hair sitting on bed with white sheets with a glass of green Spirulina smoothie in hand

A woman with brown hair lies on her stomach on a grey colour Japanese floor mattress

A mattress we tested is dressed with neutral colour bed linens and pillows

Casper Wave Hybrid Snow review: woman lying on the mattress on her side, with her head on a pillow

Woman smiling while she sleeps with headphones in and her arms overhead

A person wearing rubber gloves uses a spray bottle and a clean cloth to clean the surface of the Emma Elite mattress.

a photo of a woman holding a water bottle