Health & Fitness

Why Do I Get Hot When I Sleep?

September 9, 2024   By JM Carpiso
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Why do you sleep hot at night? Many people suffer from feeling hot when they are trying to get some sleep. How do you resolve this? 

In this article, we will discuss how to fix the problem of feeling hot at night. We will also discuss solutions to this dilemma. 

Why I Feel Hot at Night

A person lying in bed wiping their sweat.

So, what exactly is “sleeping hot”?

Sleeping hot means feeling too warm in bed for you to sleep.

This can lead to getting up many times in bed, difficulty falling asleep, and overall poor sleep quality. It can leave you feeling groggy and unrefreshed in the morning.

But why do some people sleep hot? Here are a few common reasons:

  • Room temperature: A room that’s too warm can make it difficult for your body to cool down.
  • Bedding materials: Some materials trap heat more than others, leading to a warmer sleep surface.
  • Personal health conditions: Certain health conditions can cause your body to produce more heat.
  • Metabolism and body composition: Your body’s metabolic rate and composition can influence how much heat you generate during sleep.
  • Gender differences: Men and women regulate body temperature differently, which can affect how hot or cold they feel during sleep.

Understanding the concept of sleeping hot is the first step towards finding solutions. In the following sections, we’ll explore these factors further and explore ways to achieve a cooler, more comfortable sleep.

The Science Your Body Heating Up at Night

The Science Your Body Heating Up at Night

Have you ever wondered why it’s warmer at night? It’s not all in your head.

Your body temperature varies over the day in accordance with a pattern called the circadian rhythm. Numerous factors, like light exposure and sleep-wake cycles, affect this pattern.

Your body naturally cools down during the night to encourage sleep. However, the process may be hampered if your body or the surrounding air is excessively warm.

Health problems and inadequate sleep quality may result from this disturbance. Research has connected sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and insomnia to elevated body temperatures.

Understanding how overheating affects sleep can help you make better choices about your sleeping environment and habits.

Body Temperature and Sleep

Your body temperature has a major impact on how well you sleep.

Your body temperature begins to decrease as you get ready for sleep. Your brain receives this decline as a cue to go to sleep.

However, if your body temperature stays high, it may continue to interfere with this signal. As a result, you may find it more difficult to get to sleep and stay asleep.

Achieving a peaceful and restorative sleep during the night depends on maintaining an ideal body temperature.

Gender Differences in Body Heat

Did you know that men and women experience body heat differently?

Research shows that women’s body temperatures tend to be slightly higher than men’s. However, women often report feeling colder than men.

This difference can affect how men and women experience sleeping hot. For example, women may be more likely to feel cold at night, while men may be more prone to overheating.

Understanding these gender differences can help couples find a sleep temperature that works for both partners.

Common Reasons of Night Time Overheating

You’re not alone if you frequently wake up perspiring. Overheating at night can be caused by a multitude of circumstances.

Your health conditions, the bedding you use, and the atmosphere of your room might all be factors. Your lifestyle choices can also influence your nighttime body temperature.

You can find possible answers by becoming aware of these typical offenders. Here are some to think about: 

  • Room temperature
  • Bedding and mattress materials
  • Personal health conditions

Room Environment

The conditions can greatly influence your sleeping temperature in your room.

Your body may find it tough to cool down in an overly heated space. For the best sleep, experts advise maintaining your bedroom’s temperature at roughly 18 degrees Celsius (65 degrees Fahrenheit).

To keep the temperature of the room cool, think about employing fans or air conditioning. To keep the heat from the sun out of your space, you might also wish to invest in blackout curtains.

Bedding and Mattress Materials

How hot you sleep can also be influenced by the materials of your mattress and sheets.

Certain materials are known to hold heat, such as memory foam. However, natural materials that breathe better, like latex, cotton and bamboo, can keep you cool.

Picking materials for your mattress and bedding should consider ventilation and moisture-wicking capabilities.

Personal Health Factors

Your health can also influence how hot you sleep.

Certain medical conditions, like menopause and hyperthyroidism, can cause night sweats. Even stress and anxiety can raise your body temperature.

If you’re consistently sleeping hot despite making environmental changes, it might be worth discussing with a healthcare professional.

Cool Solutions for Hot Sleepers

A woman wit a cooling quilt and cooling pillows

Don’t give up if you’re sick of stumbling around in a pool of perspiration. There are several options available to make your sleep more comfortable and cool.

Tiny adjustments can have a major impact, from selecting the ideal bedding to streamlining your sleeping environment. Making lifestyle changes can also help you stay cool at night.

Here are some tactics to think about: 

  • Optimising your sleep environment
  • Choosing the right bedding
  • Making lifestyle adjustments

Optimising Your Sleep Environment

One of the most important steps to improve sleep is to create a cool sleeping environment.

Change the temperature in your room first. Remember to strive for a temperature of about 18 degrees Celsius (65 degrees Fahrenheit).

Think about purchasing an air conditioner or fan. A basic box fan can significantly improve air circulation and lower room temperature.

The Right Bedding for a Cooler Night

Your sleeping temperature can be greatly influenced by the bedding you choose.

Choose materials that breathe, such as latex, bamboo or cotton. These organic fibers can help wick away perspiration and improve ventilation.

Additionally, think about purchasing a cooling mattress topper, as they are made to release heat and offer a more comfortable sleeping surface.

Lifestyle Adjustments for Better Sleep

How hot you sleep might also be influenced by your lifestyle choices.

Aim to stay away from large meals and alcohol right before bed. These can cause you to overheat and have trouble falling asleep.

Your body temperature can also be regulated by regular activity. Just make sure to let your body cool down by finishing your workout at least three hours before going to bed.

Innovative Products to Combat Sleeping Hot

A woman with a cooling pillow and quilt

The sleep business has been working hard to create cutting-edge solutions for hot sleepers.

Cooling mattresses and temperature-regulating pillows help keep you cool while you sleep. There are many products designed for a comfortable night’s rest.

These items disperse heat and offer a cooler sleeping surface thanks to cutting-edge technologies.

Let’s examine some of these devices and technologies for cooling in more detail.

Cooling Technologies in Sleep Products

pillow with cooling overlay

Nowadays, a lot of products have cooling technologies, like our cooling pillows and cooling mattress toppers.

For example, certain mattresses use memory foam impregnated with gel. This substance retains body heat and helps control the temperature during sleep.

Other goods make use of phase-change components. These materials take in, hold onto, and release heat to keep the temperature constant.

Gadgets and Apps for Temperature Regulation

In addition to cooling sleep aids, there are devices and apps that help manage the temperature of your sleeping area.

For instance, you can programme your room’s temperature to remain that way all night long with smart thermostats.

Additionally, wearable gadgets monitor your body temperature and modify your surroundings accordingly. For those who sleep too hot, these devices may improve their life.

When to Seek Professional Help

Some methods can help with sleeping hot, but sometimes you need to get help from an expert.

If you’ve done everything and still wake up sweating, it could be time to see a medical expert.

Periodic hyperthermia while you sleep may indicate underlying medical conditions like menopause or hyperthyroidism. A medical expert can help identify health problems and guide you on the best steps to take for treatment.

Investing in Sleep Comfort

It all comes down to investing in your comfort level when you sleep. A restful night’s sleep is important, after all.

Improving sleep and health can be achieved by changing bedding, adjusting habits, or getting expert advice. If you’re still sleeping hot, you may benefit from our range of cooling sleep products.


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