This is how you can sleep in the heat
I love it, these tropical temperatures. And I will really be the last Dutch person to complain. But the nights could be a bit cooler. Sleeping in warm weather is quite a thing for many people. A big thing, by the way, because it is even the case that about 75% of the Dutch have trouble sleeping during summer temperatures. With these 9 tips, you ensure that you sleep well tonight.
1. Crea bea
Okay, you might not think it, but I am actually quite handy. A handy person with a toolbox. All you need for this is a fan and a few empty plastic bottles. Fill the bottles three-quarters full with water and place them in the freezer in the morning. In the evening, place the fan near your bed and put the frozen bottles in front of it. The cold air will blow past the fan and help you fall asleep cool. Don't forget to put a towel or a bowl under the bottles to catch the condensation.
2. Open everything up
Open all the windows in the house on time so it can ventilate nicely. Place the fan in the doorway and make sure it blows into the other room, not the bedroom. The fan will slowly ‘suck’ the warm air out of the room.
3. Let the heat out
Warm air rises. If your home has two floors, make sure to keep doors and windows open downstairs so the warm air goes up and the cold air comes in. Don't forget to open your bedroom window, otherwise the air can't escape. Combined with a fan in the window, you can 'bonjour' the warm air out of your house.
4. Cold shower
A warm and sticky body, or worse: a sunburned skin doesn't help when you want to sleep well. Therefore, take a lukewarm or even better, a cold shower before diving into bed. Going to bed with wet hair can help keep your body cool at night. After showering, apply a lotion that contains aloe vera to your skin.
5. Under the covers
Cotton sheets are much cooler in summer than synthetic fabrics. But satin also works well in the heat. On clammy nights, take the duvet out of the cover. Do you still want to sleep under a blanket? Then choose a wool duvet. Wool breathes and absorbs moisture.
6. Keep your head cool
Cooling your neck and head can help your body cool down. Place a wet towel in the refrigerator and put it around your neck before going to sleep. Not cold enough? Wrap your towel around an ice pack.
7. Wet socks
My grandma always said: put on wet socks before diving into bed. But socks are really a forbidden item in my bed. They. Do. Not. Come. In. It seems anything but comfortable, but it actually works. As long as the water evaporates from your socks, your skin cools down, causing your entire circulation to cool.
8. Go outside
In the summer, I find nothing more enjoyable than falling asleep under the starry sky. You can't get more romantic than that, right? Just throw your mattress in the garden or on the balcony and sleep well in the fresh air. Just make sure to bring your duvet outside too, because it can get cold. Unless someone is lying next to you, of course...
9. Drink enough
It is important to drink enough in the evening. Staying hydrated ensures that you don't wake up with a dry mouth at night. Maybe not ideal, but a cup of tea before going to sleep is not a bad idea. It helps promote sweating (and that cools your body down) and is good for thirst.
