The UK is currently experiencing its third heatwave of the year, with temperatures reaching 34-35C and many people are struggling to sleep
With the UK enduring yet another heatwave, millions across the nation are grappling with the same problem – attempting to drift off in stuffy, sweltering and humid bedrooms. Numerous British homes are designed to retain heat, so when temperatures soar to blistering daytime peaks of 30C or above, the warmth rises upstairs come nightfall, making restful sleep difficult.
According to the Met Office, the UK is currently experiencing its third heatwave of the year, with hot, dry, and settled conditions across much of England and Wales, where temperatures can climb to 34-35°C in southern areas. By contrast, the far northwest is witnessing more cloud cover and sporadic rain or drizzle.
For those finding it challenging to nod off in their bedrooms because of the heat, there are several tips and techniques worth attempting that might provide relief. One expert has suggested trying a particular trick that she claims should help lower bedroom temperatures in ’20 minutes’ and requires just a handful of items.
Dr Nerina Ramlakhan, a sleep specialist and neurophysiologist at Oak Tree Mobility, has revealed a technique people can try at home to create a ‘DIY air con’ to keep rooms cooler overnight during warm spells, reports the Express.
She explained: “Not being able to fall asleep in the heat can be incredibly frustrating and leave you feeling sleep-deprived. There are two key things you can do to try and get restful sleep in the summer months: cooling your environment and cooling your body.”
“The optimum room temperature for sleeping soundly is 16-18C, but given how hot it’s going to be, that might be hard to achieve. There are some things you can do to cool your environment.”
Detailing her makeshift air conditioning technique, she explained that all you need is a fan and two additional items – a tray and a handful of ice cubes. “Place a tray of ice in front of a fan to create your own make-shift air con”, she said.
“The fan should be positioned so that it’s blowing over the tray, and as the ice melts in front of it, the room cools down. Do it for 20 minutes or so before going to bed to help cool your bedroom down.”
Additionally, Dr Nerina Ramlakhan advises: “When it’s cooler outside than in, open your window and point a fan outwards to push hot air out. If your bedroom is upstairs and is too hot for sleeping, try sleeping downstairs. Heat rises, so if your home is split across more than one floor, you may be more comfortable on a lower floor.”
Further guidance she offered to beat the heat includes taking action as early in the day as possible. She recommends: “Close your windows and keep curtains and blinds shut to keep the heat of the sun out during the day. When the air is colder outside than in (generally very early in the morning and late at night), open your windows to allow air to circulate.”
She further suggests: “Plan to eat meals that don’t rely on the oven. Switch your bedding to more breathable natural fibres, like cotton or linen.”
Another suggestion to stay cool comes from Oliver Novakovic, Technical and Innovation Director at Barratt Redrow, who has shared ways to keep homes cooler this summer. One tip he recommends is to leave the loft hatch door open at night to let trapped hot air escape.