Do Cooling Mattresses Work for Hot Sleepers?

By Geoff McKinnen Certified Sleep Coach

Last Updated On January 8th, 2025
Do Cooling Mattresses Work for Hot Sleepers?

Key Takeaways

  • Understanding Your Body’s Need for Coolness: Your body naturally seeks cooler temperatures to facilitate better sleep. As part of your circadian rhythm, your core temperature drops when you sleep, and a cooler environment can support this process, helping you achieve more restful sleep.
  • Cooling Mattresses: Features and Considerations: Cooling mattresses employ various technologies like airflow systems, “cool-touch” fabrics, phase change materials (PCM), metal and mineral infusions, and plant-based foams to regulate body heat. Each technology has its pros and cons, and effectiveness can vary based on personal preferences and external factors like room temperature.
  • Creating an Optimal Sleep Environment: Beyond a cooling mattress, optimizing your sleep environment with cool room temperatures (ideally around 68-77°F), breathable bedding materials (such as cotton or bamboo), and proper ventilation (using fans) can significantly enhance your sleep quality by helping your body maintain its desired coolness during the night.

Many people struggle to sleep well because they feel too hot at night. Cooling mattresses claim to solve this problem. But do they really work?

Cooling mattresses use special materials to draw heat away from your body. Some have gel-infused foam or phase-change materials. Others use breathable fabrics that let air flow through the mattress.

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These mattresses can help in several ways. They absorb body heat and move it away from you. This keeps the surface of the mattress cooler. They also allow more airflow, which helps sweat evaporate faster.

Whether you’re dealing with night sweats, living in a warm climate, or just tired of waking up feeling like you’ve run a marathon in your sleep, this article is for you. We’ll cut through the marketing hype and give you the real scoop on what works and what doesn’t when it comes to staying cool at night.

So grab a cool drink, find a comfortable spot, and let’s embark on this journey to cooler, more comfortable sleep. Trust me, your sweaty, sleep-deprived self will thank you!

Quick Guide: A 30-Second Summary

Best Cooling Mattress Overall Amerisleep AS3 Hybrid
Best Soft Cooling Mattress Amerisleep AS5 Hybrid
Best Cooling Latex Mattress Amerisleep Organica

Your Body Craves Coolness for Sleep

Let me paint you a picture: It’s 1 AM, I’m sprawled out like a starfish, sheets kicked to the floor, fan on full blast, and I’m still sweating like I’m in a sauna. Sound familiar?

If you’re nodding your head, welcome to the hot sleepers club. We’re not a fun bunch, but we sure are sweaty.

Now, here’s the kicker—our bodies actually want to sleep cool. I know, right? It feels like a cruel joke when you’re tossing and turning in a pool of your own sweat. But it’s true, and understanding this changed the game for me.

See, your body has a built-in clock called the circadian rhythm. This clock controls hormones that help you fall asleep and wake up.

As night rolls in, your body starts to chill out–literally. It’s prepping for sleep by lowering your core temperature.

And once you’re in dreamland? Your core temp drops even more, usually by a degree or two. It’s like your body’s version of energy-saving mode.

When I learned this, it was a lightbulb moment. All those nights I spent fighting against my blankets, I was actually fighting against my own biology. Talk about a losing battle!

Understanding this helped me create a better sleep environment. I started paying attention to my bedroom temperature, my bedding, even what I wore to bed.

Most of all, I considered my next cooling mattress as deliberately as a chess master might plan his next move. And let me tell you, it made a world of difference.

But here’s the thing—everyone’s different. What works for me might not work for you. Maybe you’re one of those lucky folks who can sleep through a heatwave without breaking a sweat. If so, I’m jealous, but also happy for you.

For us hot sleepers, though, this knowledge is power  It means those nights of discomfort aren’t just in our heads, that we’re not wrong to want a cooler place to retreat at night. And most importantly, it means there are things we can do to help ourselves sleep better.

So next time you’re lying awake at night, feeling like a human furnace, remember: your body wants to be cool. It’s trying its best to get there. And with the right setup—be it a cooling mattress, breathable sheets, or just the right thermostat setting – you can help it along.

Trust me, once you find that sweet spot, those cool, comfortable nights of sleep are a game-changer. It’s like finally scratching an itch you’ve had for years. And sometimes, that means taking a good, hard look at your current mattress to see if it’s too hot for you to handle.

How Does a Cooling Mattress Work?

First things first: cooling mattresses aren’t magic. They’re not going to transform your bedroom into the Arctic Circle. What they aim to do is regulate your body temperature and prevent you from waking up feeling like you’ve just run a marathon in a sauna.

To accomplish this, manufacturers rely on an arsenal of cooling tricks.

Airflow Systems

This is basically fancy talk for “holes or otherwise empty space in your mattress.” The idea is that air can circulate, whisking away your body heat.

Innerspring and hybrid mattresses are the champions here, with their coil systems acting like tiny fans, leaving plenty of space for air to flow.

All-foam beds try to keep up by adding perforations or air channels, but let’s be real—they’re fighting an uphill battle against their heat-trapping nature.

“Cool-Touch” Fabrics

Mattress companies love to throw around trademarked names like GlacioTex and Ghost Ice. These materials claim to use high-tech fibers to pull heat away from your body.

Do they work? Sometimes, yes. What they don’t tell you in the glossy marketing materials: that icy-cool feeling often doesn’t last.

But it’s easy to lose count of how many “cooling” mattress covers felt great for the first 10 minutes, only to end up as humid and swampy as any other lackluster bed by morning.

Yes, that cutting-edge fabric may help you fall asleep fast. But if you’re the type of person who struggles to stay asleep as your bed warms up, then it may not be the right choice for you.

Natural Fabrics

Some manufacturers, instead of trying to innovate their polyester cover blend into something cooler, have gone back to basics. Time-tested materials that have been keeping people cool for centuries. I’m talking about good old natural fabrics like cotton, linen, and bamboo.

Cotton is the OG of breathable fabrics and the one you’ll most likely see as a mattress cover. It’s soft, it’s durable, and it lets air flow like nobody’s business. I’ve slept on cotton-topped mattresses that feel cooler than some of the fancy gel-infused ones.

However, another notable contender for most cooling fabric is Tencel. It’s made from wood cellulose, usually eucalyptus. This fabric doesn’t just move sweat away from your body; it actually absorbs it into the fiber.

Phase Change Materials (PCM)

Alright, let’s talk PCMs. These materials are like the chameleons of the mattress world, changing their physical state to keep you cool. It’s some serious sci-fi stuff, and as a chronic night sweater, I was skeptical but intrigued.

PCMs were originally developed by NASA (because of course they were – seems like all the cool sleep tech comes from space these days). The idea is simple but brilliant: these materials absorb heat when you’re too warm and release it when you cool down, maintaining a consistent temperature.

Here’s how it works in practice: As you lie down on a mattress with PCM, it absorbs your excess body heat. The material literally changes from a solid to a gel-like state as it warms up. Once you cool down, it solidifies again, releasing that stored heat away from your body.

Sounds perfect, right? Well, in my experience, it’s pretty impressive… to a point. I’ve slept on PCM-infused mattresses during mild summer nights and felt like I was floating on a perfectly temperature-regulated cloud. But throw in a heatwave or a nasty bout of night sweats, and even PCM can struggle to keep up.

The effectiveness also seems to vary depending on where and how the PCM is used in the mattress. Some mattresses incorporate it into the cover, while others infuse it into foam layers. I’ve found that PCM in the cover tends to have a more noticeable immediate effect, but it can wear off faster.

One 2016 study Verified Source ScienceDirect One of the largest hubs for research studies and has published over 12 million different trusted resources. View source I came across claimed PCMs could improve heat dissipation by up to 25.6% compared to conventional mattresses. Impressive, sure, but in my real-world (read: very sweaty) experience, your mileage may vary.

Metal and Mineral Infusions

Now, let’s talk about metal and mineral infusions. This is where mattress companies start sounding like alchemists, mixing copper, graphite, and gel into their foams in an attempt to create the philosopher’s stone of cool sleep.

The theory goes like this: metals like copper and minerals like graphite are excellent heat conductors. By infusing them into foam, manufacturers claim they can help draw heat away from your body more effectively.

Copper infusions are particularly trendy right now. Besides its cooling properties, copper is also touted for its antimicrobial benefits. As someone who’s equal parts hot sleeper and germaphobe, this combo sounded like a dream come true.

Graphite, on the other hand, is said to dissipate heat even more effectively than copper. Some mattresses use graphite-infused foam layers to create pathways for heat to travel away from your body.

And let’s not forget about gel. Gel-infused foams have been around for a while, promising to offset the heat-trapping tendencies of traditional memory foam.

So, do they work? In my experience… kind of. I’ve definitely noticed a difference between regular memory foam and these infused varieties. They do feel cooler to the touch, at least initially.

But here’s the catch: the cooling effect often feels minimal, especially as the night wears on. That cool-to-the-touch feeling when you first lie down? It tends to disappear pretty quickly once your body heat gets involved.

I’ve also found that the effectiveness can vary wildly between brands and even between different models from the same brand. It’s like playing cooling mattress roulette sometimes.

And let’s not forget the potential downsides. Some of these infusions can change the feel of the foam, making it firmer or changing its responsiveness. And there are concerns about the long-term durability of these infused foams.

Plant Based Foams

When I first heard about plant-based foam, I was intrigued. Could the answer to my night sweats really come from soybeans or corn? As it turns out, there might be something to this veggie-inspired sleep tech.

Here’s the deal: Traditional memory foam is made from petroleum-based polyurethane, which is about as eco-friendly as a tire fire. Plant-based foams, on the other hand, replace some of that petroleum with oils derived from plants like soy, corn, or castor beans.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Great, it’s better for the planet, but will it keep me cool?” Well, my fellow hot sleeper, the answer is… likely yes, but with some caveats!

Many plant-based foams have a more open-cell structure than traditional memory foam. This means more air can circulate through the mattress, potentially whisking away heat and moisture. When I first lay on a plant-based foam mattress, I was surprised by how much cooler it felt compared to my old memory foam bed.

Plant-based foams often don’t trap heat the same way petroleum-based foams do. In my experience, this translated to fewer middle-of-the-night wake-ups feeling like I was sleeping on a radiator.

Now, before you rush out to buy a plant-based foam mattress, let me temper your expectations a bit. While these foams can offer some cooling benefits, they’re not magical sweat-eliminating machines.

In my experience, plant-based foams do sleep cooler than traditional memory foam, but the difference isn’t always night and day. Also, it’s worth noting that not all plant-based foams are created equal. The percentage of plant-based content can vary widely between manufacturers, and some may still contain a significant amount of petroleum-based materials.

And let’s not forget about personal preference. Some people find plant-based foams to have a slightly different feel than traditional memory foam. I personally liked the slightly more responsive feel, but it might not be everyone’s cup of tea (or glass of soy milk, as it were).

Smart Beds

Now, let’s talk about the sci-fi side of cooling mattresses—smart technology. As someone who’s always been a bit of a tech geek (when I’m not busy being a sweaty sleeper), this stuff fascinates me.

Imagine a mattress that doesn’t just passively try to keep you cool, but actively adapts to your body temperature throughout the night. That’s the promise of smart cooling technology in mattresses. Some even use a mix of cooling and warming technology to ensure you’re comfortable in every climate.

These high-tech beds use a variety of methods to regulate temperature. Some use air chambers that can be cooled or heated to your exact preferences.

Others employ water-based systems that circulate cooled water through channels in the mattress. There are even mattresses with built-in sensors that detect your body temperature and adjust cooling in real-time.

The really fancy ones? They come with smartphone apps that let you control the temperature of each side of the bed independently. Perfect for couples where one person runs hot and the other cold (I’m looking at you, human icicles who somehow always end up with us furnaces).

Some of these smart beds even track your sleep patterns and adjust the temperature throughout the night based on your sleep stages. It’s like having a tiny, obsessive meteorologist living in your mattress, constantly working to create your perfect sleep climate. Smart mattresses have also had success Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. View source in hospital settings. Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. View source

Sounds amazing, right? Well, yes and no. As someone who’s tried a few of these smart cooling systems, I can tell you they can be game-changers… when they work properly. But they’re not without their drawbacks.

For one, they’re expensive. Like, “I could buy a used car for this price” expensive. They also require electricity to run, which means your electricity bill might go up (though hopefully your AC usage will go down to balance it out).

There’s also the complexity factor. More tech means more things that can potentially go wrong. I once spent a sleepless night trying to troubleshoot a malfunctioning cooling system, which was not exactly the restful experience I was hoping for.

And let’s not forget the potential privacy concerns. Some of these smart mattresses collect a lot of data about your sleep habits. While this can be useful for improving your sleep, it’s also something to be aware of if you’re concerned about data privacy.

Why Might You Wake Up Sweaty?

Do you often find yourself tossing and turning, feeling too hot to sleep? There are many reasons why you might be a “hot sleeper” that needs a little bit of extra help cooling down.

Sometimes, it’s simple things like working out late, eating spicy food before bed, or sleeping too close to your partner or pet. But other times, the cause might be more complex.

Your body temperature can be affected by hormones or medications you’re taking. In some cases, sleeping hot might be a sign of health issues. These could include:

  • Thyroid problems Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. View source
  • Diabetes Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. View source
  • Depression Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. View source or anxiety Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. View source
  • Autoimmune disorders Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. View source
  • Infections Verified Source Medline Plus Online resource offered by the National Library of Medicine and part of the National Institutes of Health. View source
  • Heart disease Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. View source
  • Some types of cancer Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. View source
  • Menopause Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. View source

But don’t worry, often, the problem isn’t your body at all. It’s your sleep environment. Your mattress plays a big role in how cool you feel at night. If you’re waking up sweaty, it might be time to take a closer look at what you’re sleeping on.

The right mattress, or even just the right pad or topper as a 2022 study Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. View source shows, can make a world of difference in keeping you cool and comfortable all night long.

Is Your Mattress Turning Up the Heat?

Have you noticed how complicated mattresses have become lately? Beds now come with all sorts of fancy features like adjustable firmness, temperature control, and sleep tracking.

But here’s a secret: when it comes to sleep, simpler is often better. Why reinvent the wheel, after all?

Now, many modern mattresses use materials like polyurethane foam or memory foam. These might feel comfy at first, but they can cause problems. Think about wearing a polyester shirt on a hot day compared to a cotton one. That’s similar to what’s happening on your mattress.

Memory foam traps heat and doesn’t let air flow well. As you lie on it, the foam compresses, closing off tiny air pockets. This can leave you feeling hot and sweaty.

Some companies try to fix this by adding cooling gels or special toppers. But isn’t that just treating the symptom instead of the cause?

If you want to sleep cooler, consider avoiding materials that don’t breathe well. Look for mattresses made with natural, breathable materials instead. And don’t forget about your sheets and pillows – they matter too!

By choosing the right sleep surfaces, you can create a cooler, more comfortable sleep environment without all the complicated gadgets.

Signs of a Too Hot Mattress

Alright, let’s talk about the telltale signs that your mattress is turning you into a human rotisserie. As someone who’s spent more nights than I care to admit marinating in my own sweat, I’ve become something of an expert in spotting a too-hot mattress.

The Sweaty Sleeper’s Checklist

Remember, a little warmth during sleep is normal, but if you’re experiencing several of these signs regularly, it might be time to reconsider your mattress choice. Your bed should be a cool, comfortable haven, not a nightly sweat lodge experience.

Here’s what to watch out for:

The Midnight Swamp

If you’re waking up feeling like you’ve just emerged from a sauna, fully clothed, that’s a big red flag. I’m talking about that unpleasant sensation of peeling yourself off the sheets, leaving a you-shaped sweat outline behind. Been there, done that, bought the moisture-wicking t-shirt.

The Toss and Turn Tango

Find yourself constantly flipping your pillow to the “cool side” or rotating around the bed like a rotisserie chicken searching for a cool spot? That’s your body desperately trying to regulate its temperature. I once wore a path in my sheets from all the tossing and turning.

The Great Blanket Escape

If you start the night cozily under the covers but wake up with them kicked to the floor, your mattress might be the culprit. It’s like your sleeping self is staging a protest against the heat.

The Morning-After Mustiness

Does your bedroom have a distinct “locker room” aroma in the morning? That’s not just your charming morning breath – it’s likely due to sweat accumulating in your mattress overnight. I once had a mattress so musty I considered labeling it as a “built-in humidifier”.

The Insomniac’s Lament

If you’re lying awake at night, acutely aware of every warm, clammy point of contact between you and your mattress, that’s a clear sign you’re sleeping too hot. I’ve spent many nights counting sweat drops instead of sheep.

The Partner Pushaway

For couples, if you find yourself inching away from your partner’s body heat like they’ve suddenly transformed into a lava monster, your mattress might not be doing its job in dissipating heat.

The Moisture Map

Inspect your mattress in the morning. If you can see (or worse, feel) damp patches where you were lying, your mattress is definitely retaining too much heat and moisture.

The Thermostat War

If you’re constantly cranking up the AC or pointing multiple fans at your bed just to get comfortable, your mattress might be the heat-trapping culprit.

The Night Clothes Stripping

Started the night in cozy PJs but woke up looking like you’re ready for a beach day? That’s your body’s desperate attempt to cool down.

And if you’re still feeling the heat in a tank top and briefs, look at whether your mattress is playing the part of a sun warmed rock too well.

The Memory Foam Memory

If you have a memory foam mattress and you can still see your body impression long after you’ve gotten up, that’s a sign the foam is retaining heat (as the foam responds to heat and pressure).

I once left an imprint so lasting I considered bronzing it. This isn’t the only reason a slow-to-respond mattress is a red flag, but it’s definitely a facet to keep in mind.

Other Tips to Keep You Cool at Night

I’ve found that while cooling mattresses are a great start for better sleep, they work best as part of an overall cool sleeping strategy. 

To maximize their benefits, create your own personal sleep oasis where you essential slip into a cooling pool after a long day.

I’ve found that while cooling mattresses are a great start for better sleep, they work best as part of an overall cool sleeping strategy. 

To maximize their benefits, create your own personal sleep oasis where you essential slip into a cooling pool after a long day.

The Cool Room Revolution

First things first: your bedroom temperature. Aim for the sleep sweet spot Verified Source ScienceDirect One of the largest hubs for research studies and has published over 12 million different trusted resources. View source of about 68° to 77° F.

I know, I know, it sounds chilly. But hear me out. Your body is like a fussy toddler—it needs the right conditions to settle down for the night.

When it’s time to sleep, your internal thermostat naturally drops a degree or two. A cool room is like a lullaby for your body, signaling it’s time to snooze.

I’ll never forget the first night I cranked my thermostat down to 65°F. It felt like I was prepping for hibernation, but let me tell you, I slept like a bear in winter. If you don’t have AC (I feel your pain), get creative. Open those windows at night and let the cool air in.

I once created an elaborate system of fans to pull in cool night air—my roommates thought I was crazy until they too experienced the bliss of cool sleep.

The Breathable Bedding Bonanza

Now, let’s talk about what you’re sleeping in and on. Your sheets and PJs are like your sleep outfit, so choose wisely, my friends.

Natural fibers are your new best friends. Cotton, bamboo, eucalyptus, linen—these are the literal cool kids of the fabric world.

I once made the mistake of sleeping on polyester sheets during a heatwave. Never again. It was like being wrapped in a plastic bag.

Now, I’m all about those breathable, natural fibers. My current favorite? Bamboo sheets. They’re so soft and cool, it’s like sleeping on a cloud made of air conditioning.

And pajamas? Keep ’em loose and light. I’ve become a convert to the “less is more” philosophy when it comes to sleep attire. A loose cotton t-shirt and shorts are my go-to.

The Fantastic Fan Fiasco

Ah, fans. These unsung heroes of the sleep world deserve a standing ovation. A good fan can be the difference between a night of tossing and turning and blissful, cool slumber.

I’ve experimented with more fan configurations than I care to admit. Pointed directly at the bed? Check. Oscillating around the room? Been there. The “fan tornado” setup with multiple fans? Oh yeah, I went there (and nearly blew myself out of bed).

My current favorite is a powerful but quiet tower fan, positioned to create a gentle breeze across my bed. It’s like sleeping on a breezy hilltop, minus the bugs and uncomfortable rocks.

And let’s not forget the background noise bonus. The gentle whir of a fan can be incredibly soothing. It’s like a lullaby for adults, drowning out the neighbor’s barking dog or your partner’s snoring (not that I’m speaking from experience or anything).

However, there are also whisper-quiet models for those who want a serene environment. And if you’re worried about energy use or just want to reduce your carbon footprint, look for an energy-efficient model with a timer.

Bonus Tips from a Reformed Hot Sleeper

Here are a few extra tricks I’ve picked up on my journey to cool sleep nirvana:

  1. The Cold Pillow Flip: Keep a spare pillow (or if space is tight, pillowcase) in the freezer. Swap it out halfway through the night for instant cooling relief.
  2. The Damp Sheet Trick: On really hot nights, I’ve been known to slightly mist a sheet and use it as a lightweight cover. It’s like your own personal evaporative cooling system.
  3. The Cooling Mattress Topper: If a full cooling mattress isn’t in the budget, a cooling topper or mattress pad can be a game-changer.
  4. The Pre-Bed Cool Down: Take a lukewarm shower before bed. It sounds counterintuitive, but it helps lower Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. View source your body temperature.

FAQs

Will I be too cold with a cooling mattress?

Don’t worry, a cooling mattress isn’t going to turn your bed into an ice rink. These mattresses are designed to regulate your temperature, not freeze you out. In my experience, they simply help prevent overheating by dissipating excess body heat and allowing for better air circulation.

That said, everyone’s comfort level is different, so if you tend to run cold, you might want to start with a less aggressive cooling option or pair your cooling mattress with warmer bedding that you can easily adjust as needed.

Is it normal to sweat in your sleep every night?

While it’s normal to sweat a bit during sleep, especially if your room is warm or you’re bundled up, excessive night sweats every night aren’t typical and might be worth looking into. From my own sweaty adventures, I can tell you that consistent night sweats can be caused by a variety of factors, including hormonal changes, certain medications, or underlying health conditions.

If you’re waking up drenched every night, it’s probably a good idea to chat with your doctor. They can help determine if there’s an underlying cause or if you just need to make some changes to your sleep environment. Remember, a good night’s sleep shouldn’t feel like you’ve run a marathon in your dreams!

How do cooling mattresses work?

Cooling mattresses use special materials to draw heat away from your body. Some have gel-infused foam or phase-change materials, while others use breathable fabrics.

They absorb body heat and move it away from you, keeping the mattress surface cooler. These mattresses also allow more airflow, which helps sweat evaporate faster.

Can memory foam mattresses make me sleep hot?

As someone who’s spent many a night feeling like a marshmallow slowly roasting on a memory foam campfire, I can confidently say that yes, memory foam mattresses can definitely make you sleep hot.

The dense structure of traditional memory foam tends to trap body heat, creating a warm cocoon that might be cozy for about five minutes before turning into your own personal frying pan.

This heat-trapping tendency is actually one of the biggest complaints against memory foam mattresses, which is why many manufacturers have started incorporating cooling technologies like gel infusions or open-cell structures.

What’s the ideal bedroom temperature for sleep?

The ideal bedroom temperature for sleep is usually in the mid-sixties to mid-seventies in Fahrenheit. This cool environment helps support your body’s natural cooling process as you prepare for sleep.

At this temperature, most people fall asleep faster and sleep better. If you don’t have air conditioning, try opening windows at night to let cool air in.

How can I sleep cool without AC or windows?

Now that’s a challenge worthy of a sweaty sleep champion like myself. First off, focus on creating a cool microclimate in your bed. I once turned my mattress into a DIY cooling pad by placing a couple of frozen water bottles wrapped in towels under the sheets. Placed strategically around my body (think pulse points like wrists, neck, and behind knees), it was like sleeping on a glacier, in a good way.

Invest in moisture-wicking, breathable bedding materials like bamboo or high-quality cotton. I’ve found these can make a world of difference when you’re battling the heat. You can also try misting your sheets or sticking your bedding in the freezer a few hours before bed. Take a similar attitude to your sleepwear, focusing on light and cool fabrics.

Lastly, don’t underestimate the power of a good fan strategy. I’ve experimented with everything from small personal fans clipped to my headboard to larger floor fans creating a vortex of cool air around my bed. Get creative and find what works for you in your windowless sleep cave.

How can a fan help me sleep cooler?

A fan helps by improving air circulation in your bedroom. Moving air can make a significant difference in how cool you feel, even if the room temperature doesn’t change.

You can point the fan directly at your bed or use it to circulate air throughout the room. As a bonus, many people find the noise from a fan helps them sleep better.

Why am I so hot I can’t sleep?

One common culprit is your sleep environment. Your room might be too warm, your bedding might be trapping heat, or your mattress could be a heat-retaining offender (I’m looking at you, memory foam).

However, it’s not always just about your surroundings; sometimes your body is the troublemaker. Hormonal changes, certain medications, or even what you ate or drank before bed can affect your body temperature and make you feel like a human furnace.

If this is a persistent issue, it might be worth chatting with a doctor, as excessive night sweats can sometimes be a sign of underlying health conditions.

Why does my body prefer to sleep cool?

Your body is designed to cool down naturally as part of its sleep cycle. This process is controlled by your circadian rhythm, an internal clock that regulates sleep hormones.

As bedtime approaches, your body temperature starts to drop. While you sleep, your core temperature is typically one to two degrees lower than when you’re awake, helping you save energy and sleep better.

Conclusion

Getting a good night’s sleep is crucial for your health and well-being, and staying cool plays a big role in that. While cooling mattresses can help, they’re just one piece of the puzzle. Creating the ideal sleep environment involves everything from your bedroom temperature to the sheets you use.

Your body naturally wants to cool down for sleep, so work with that process, not against it. If you’re consistently waking up sweaty, don’t ignore it—it could be a sign of an underlying health issue.

By making smart choices about your sleep setup and paying attention to your body’s signals, you can dramatically improve your sleep quality. Sweet dreams and stay cool!


About the author

Geoff McKinnen is a writer focusing mainly on the healthcare industry and has written articles on everything from foods to help you lose weight to the connection between Alzheimer’s and sleep. Geoff’s passionate about helping readers improve their well-being to lead happier lives. Outside of work, Geoff enjoys cycling and hiking and believes that by leading a healthy lifestyle, he can help others do the same.

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