You throw on your pajamas, brush your teeth, and snuggle in for a good night’s rest. Only to wake up hours later drenched in sweat.
Yuck.
A recent study found 41% of participants struggled to sleep well because of night sweats.
Getting overheated at night doesn’t have to be a sentence to sleep alone! Not when you have cooling bed sheets.
If you are too hot to handle in the bed, then read on. We’ll tell you everything you need to know about cooling bed sheets.
What Are Cooling Bed Sheets?
At first glance, cooling bed sheets may seem counterintuitive. After all, sheets are supposed to keep you warm.
Here’s the secret, cooling bed sheets are just like regular sheets.
They can be just as cozy as standard sheets but with some key distinctions. They are extra breathable and moisture-wicking. Helping your body stay cool, so you don’t wake up soaking wet.
Why Is Staying Cool At Night Important
Sleep scientists say the best temperature to keep your room is between 60-67 degrees. They say it relates to your body’s internal temperature regulation mechanism.
We’re talking about your circadian rhythm. Perhaps you’ve heard of it. It’s the 24-hour cycle that includes physiological and behavioral rhythms.
About the time you go to bed, your body will start to shed warmth. You’ll continue cooling down until about 5 A.M.
If the environment is too hot or too cold there’s a problem. Both scenarios impact your body’s ability to regulate internal temperature.
At the sweet spot of 60-67 degrees, your body can fall asleep and stay asleep. Additionally, cooler temperatures stimulate the body’s production of melatonin.
Not Too Hot
If your room is too hot, you might experience restless sleep. If you cannot drop into REM sleep because of the temperature, you won’t get the rest you need.
Heat and humidity levels can both contribute to sleep problems.
Not Too Cold
Conversely, having your room too cold can also have adverse effects.
A 2012 study found semi-nude participants were more affected by cold than heat. They also didn’t have any cooling bed sheets or any sheets for that matter, so there is that.
In general, if you go one way or the other with extremes, cold is preferable. If the room is too cold, it will be less impactful than if it’s too hot.
Just Right
For most optimum sleep, you want to regulate the room temperature. Here are some ways you can do that.
Set your thermostat to drop when it’s close to bedtime automatically.
If the room temperature rises or falls out of the ideal range, you can open windows or turn on the AC.
Run a fan to help circulate cold air through the room.
Keep Bedding Seasonal
Your cozy, down comforter may not be as inviting in July as it is in January. That is unless you’ve got a cooling comforter.
Likewise, jersey knit or heavier sheets can be natural sweat magnets.
You could switch your bedding out seasonally. Or you could give your sleep space an upgrade with cooling everything.
We mean everything. All the bed accouterments; the mattress, pillows, sheets, and comforter, can be cooling.
Benefits of Cooling Bed Sheets
What more could you want from a set of sheets than a blissful night’s sleep?
Much more.
Cooling bed sheets have some additional benefits you may not have thought of.
Supports Weight Management
When we go to sleep, our body temperature starts to drop. Human growth hormone (HGH) is released when this happens. Simultaneously our cortisol (stress chemical) levels also drop.
Human growth hormone is what helps muscles and tissues repair themselves. More muscles mean more calories burning while we are resting.
Also, cortisol level is linked to appetite. If that level drops at night while we sleep, we are less likely to give in to sugar cravings during the day.
Supports the Body’s Natural Temperature Cycle
Through the 24-hour day, our body’s temperature fluctuates. We are the coldest at five in the morning and warmest in the early evening.
Keeping the room cool supports that natural cycle. Allowing the body to cool down while we sleep fully.
Prevents Night Sweats
Night sweats kind of suck. They make cuddling impossible and sheet washing too regular occurrence.
Not only that, but you also have an increased risk of dehydration from all the water lost.
Cooling bed sheets and regulating the temperature of the room can help you beat night sweats.
Keep You Looking Young
If nothing else stands out to you, remember this, quality sleep keeps you looking young and fresh.
We mentioned that as our body temperature drops, the body releases melatonin and HGH. During that time, it also releases anti-aging hormones.
These chemical messengers are reparative and regenerative. They are essential to keeping us looking both healthy and youthful.
What Are Cooling Bed Sheets Made From?
You can find cooling bed sheets in the following fabrics.
Cotton – it’s one of the most breathable fabrics out there. Cooling cotton sheets will have a loose weave to allow more air circulation.
Bamboo – is another trendy fabric. Bamboo is said to be more eco-friendly while being lightweight and breathable.
Microfiber – the threads in these sheets are micro. They are super lightweight.
Natural Silver – this is a newer trend, weaving silver into the fabric to manage the temperature. Silver is said to prevent odor, stop bacterial growth, and support healthy skin.
Sateen – woven with thicker yarn, sateen sheets are a bit heavier than the others. These are great in colder climates where you want heat close to your body.
Refresh Your Sleep Space Today
If you struggle with night sweats or have never replaced your bedding, you don’t need to suffer another night.
We spend about 26 years of our lives sleeping, and 7 years trying to sleep. That’s a whopping 33 years spent in bed! Investing in the best bedding just makes good sense.
Cooling bedsheets are easy to find and can change the way you sleep for the better!
