Are you struggling to get comfortable or constantly waking up to night sweats? Fun fact: spicy foods and certain medications can cause night sweats, but it is important to note that if you are continuously waking up to abnormal sweating that isn’t explainable via your environment, medications, or fiery dinner, you should consult with a medical professional. However, allow us to do what we do best as HVAC professionals to ensure your environment is optimal for your sleeping comfort. Our experts at Middletown Heating & Cooling have some hot, or should I say, “cool” tips to sleeping more efficiently this summer season!
Hot VS Cool Room: How Is This Affecting My Sleep?
According to a study conducted at Harvard Medical School, your body temperature starts to drop just before you fall asleep. As a means of conserving energy while sleeping, your body’s core temperature reduces by 1 to 2°F. Thus, a colder room is preferable, allowing your body to achieve and remain at this core temperature more efficiently. While we have yet to discover a cure for “getting old,” it has been proven that rooms kept between 60 and 68 degrees stimulate our bodies to produce melatonin. Melatonin promotes adequate sleep, and it is also a powerful anti-aging hormone! Sign me up! In addition, there is a link between melatonin and serotonin. We get melatonin from serotonin, a known mood-enhancer. With both of these hormones, we can rest better and feel happier. So if you live with others that complain of being “too cold” this summer, feel free to use this information as a way to defend the cool environment you so desire to maintain!
What Are the Benefits Of Sleeping With a Fan?
The most obvious benefit of using a fan is the cooling effects on your body when hitting your skin directly, keeping you cool and comfortable while you sleep. For this reason, a portable fan is preferable. Though, ceiling fans are pretty resourceful too. Ensure the blades remain clean on all fans utilized; dust and other tiny particles can further hinder your health and comfort. Additionally, clean fans can help circulate stale air, freshening up a room to give rise to a less stuffy and better-smelling environment. Now, I don’t know about you, but I have to sleep with a fan simply for the sound it produces. Similar to white noise, fans have a masking effect, which merely means they can block out other noises that may otherwise disrupt a light sleeper.
How Does a Smart/Programmable Thermostat Optimize Sleep?
Sleep is essential, but a significant stage of sleep is REM sleep, which stimulates brain areas necessary for healthy brain development and emotional processing. Tossing and turning all night due to an uncomfortable environment will continuously disrupt your REM sleep! If you struggle to stay asleep, a new thermostat could be the fix just right for you. With a more dynamic control over your home’s temperature, you can help guarantee optimal comfort levels and sleep by automatically cooling down your home before bed. Likewise, you can program a smart or programmable thermostat to warm up your environment at any desired time of day. Doing this makes it easier to awaken because warmer temperatures signal your body to become more alert.
Get the best out of your HVAC system, and call Middletown Heating & Cooling today at (513) 268-3789, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here! Our excellent services and vast knowledge of all things HVAC can better help you sleep more efficiently and comfortably this summer, no matter how unforgivable Ohio’s weather may get. And remember, quality sleep is essential for quality life!