You know the feeling. You’ve gone to bed on time, slept for what feels like a solid 7–8 hours, yet wake up groggy, heavy, and far from refreshed. If this sounds familiar, the culprit may not be the amount of sleep you’re getting, but the temperature you’re sleeping in.
Why Temperature Matters More Than You Think
Our bodies are wired to follow natural rhythms. As evening approaches, your core body temperature begins to drop - a signal that it’s time for deep, restorative sleep. But when your bedroom or bedding traps heat, this cooling process is disrupted. The result? Shallow sleep cycles and restless tossing, even if you technically “slept through the night.”
In fact, a landmark study in Nature and Science of Sleep showed that people who failed to cool down properly before and during sleep spent less time in slow-wave and REM cycles - the exact stages responsible for muscle repair, memory processing, and waking up refreshed.
Quick, Free Ways to Sleep Cooler Tonight
Not ready to overhaul your bedding just yet? These simple changes can help your body cool more effectively before bed:
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Set the scene - keep your bedroom between 16–20°C if possible, as recommended by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Even just opening a window or using a fan can help lower air temperature.
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Limit electronics - screens and devices generate heat and stimulate your brain. Power down at least 30 minutes before sleep.
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Take a warm shower (yes, warm) - it may sound counterintuitive, but a warm shower helps your body release heat afterward, dropping your core temperature for sleep.
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Keep it light - swap heavy pyjamas for breathable cotton or linen sleepwear.
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Stay hydrated (but not overhydrated) - dehydration makes it harder to regulate temperature, but avoid drinking lots of water right before bed to prevent sleep disruptions.
These small tweaks cost nothing but can immediately improve your sleep quality.
Bedding That Works With Your Body
The good news: your choice of bedding can make all the difference. Unlike synthetic fibres, which trap heat and moisture, natural fabrics such as linen are breathable by design.
This isn’t just a nice-to-have. A Journal of Physiological Anthropology study found that participants who slept in lighter, natural fabrics experienced fewer awakenings through the night and reported higher levels of morning alertness compared to those wrapped in synthetics.
Spring & Summer Nights: The Real Test
If you’ve found yourself tossing and turning lately, it may not just be the warmer nights - it could be your bedding working against you. Heavy synthetic sheets hold onto heat, making it harder for your body to reach the deep sleep stages that fuel your morning energy.
Experts at the American Academy of Sleep Medicine suggest that bedroom environments kept between 16–20°C are most effective for maintaining high sleep efficiency. Cooler sleep not only improves mood but also boosts next-day focus and productivity. Natural fabrics help you reach that sweet spot without relying on synthetic “cooling gimmicks.”
Sleep Cooler, Wake Sharper
The hidden link between your sleep environment and your daily performance is simpler than it seems: let your body cool naturally, and it will reward you with more energy, better mood, and sharper memory the next day.
If you’re ready to stop waking up groggy and start greeting the morning with real energy, it might be time to rethink what you’re sleeping in.
Discover our range of linen bedding - naturally breathable, beautifully crafted, and designed for deeper, cooler sleep.
