Extreme heat delays falling asleep and increases the number of nighttime awakenings. Here’s a simple but effective tip to sleep better in the middle of a heatwave.
Fan, shutters and windows wide open, ice packs perhaps too… Have you tried everything to cool down before sleeping and nothing has really worked? The solution shared by the Red Cross should finally allow you to regain satisfactory sleep despite the heatwave.
In fact, it’s physiological. When it is hot, our body must redouble its efforts to regulate its internal temperature, an energy-consuming process which directly disrupts the mechanisms for falling asleep. But to sink into the arms of Morpheus, the body naturally needs to lose a few tenths of a degree. Faced with this challenge, Red Cross experts share an effective tip that only requires… a pair of socks.
The idea may make you smile, but it is based on a recognized medical reality. “Place a pair of socks in the refrigerator during the day and put them on before bed.” explain the Red Cross experts. Indeed, our extremities – and particularly our feet – have a very high density of thermal receptors. By cooling this key area at bedtime with a pair of socks, you send an immediate thermal comfort signal to your nervous system. The body temperature drops and the brain can then go into “sleep” mode.
To maximize your chances of spending a peaceful night without suffering from the “oven effect”, specialists also recommend adopting a few simple but too often neglected reflexes. First, unplug electrical appliances. Even in standby mode, the television, computer or chargers left plugged in the room generate heat. Then take a lukewarm shower. Not cold especially because that would cause a “rebound” effect which would make you even warmer when you go out. Choose lightweight cotton sheets that absorb perspiration better. And keep fresh water next to you.
By combining this amazing method of refrigerated socks with a good summer lifestyle, you will increase your chances of sleeping better and facing the following days in better conditions.
