A new report has revealed that over half of Brits have pulled a sickie due to the roasting weather impacting their sleep – and it’s only set to get worse, with temperatures expected to spike again this weekend
Heatwaves are believed to cost the UK economy an average of £5.98bn each year, according to a recent study, and a significant factor is sleep. More than a third of Brits lose between one to two hours of sleep per night during a heatwave.
As a result, over half of Brits have admitted to calling in sick due to the scorching weather affecting their sleep, others have arrived late or cancelled social plans. Worryingly for UK employers, the decrease in sleep quality is impacting productivity levels with the average adult losing nearly 14 hours of efficient work time during heatwaves.
According to the study commissioned by BOXT, only 5 percent of UK homes are constructed to cope with the temperatures that the country is currently experiencing.
Overheated Brits are also feeling the pinch financially. The research shows half of participants (57%) are splurging £150 on iced drinks and portable fans to stay cool, while a staggering 28% confessed to shelling out £300 for the same items.
“We’ve long focused on keeping heat in but with hotter summers becoming the norm, good insulation is just as important for keeping our homes cool,” said Adam Knight, lead engineer at BOXT.
“Most of us are relying on temporary cooling hacks and still not sleeping well. We’re seeing more hot, humid nights in the UK but our homes aren’t built for it,” he said.
“Ask any parent with a cranky toddler after a sleepless night, or a commuter sweating through another sticky train journey. Heat affects behaviour and brain power.”
Despite the nationwide struggles, only 5 percent of Brits have a permanent air-conditioning unit fitted in their home and 14 percent consider the concept an American or Mediterranean ‘luxury’.
But it might not be as expensive as they think. You could get a unit installed with flexible finance options starting at just £30.67 a month with no deposit, says BOXT.
Those who are happy to splash the cash upfront could purchase an air-conditioning unit for £2,199.
Adam added: “Most people assume air conditioning is expensive or only for luxury homes – but it’s more affordable than you may think. And, unlike fans or gadgets that just circulate air, proper AC cools the whole room, not just the space directly in front of you.”
To help struggling Brits get through their workday when temperatures rise, sleep expert and psychologist Hope Bastine has shared her top advice on how to get a good night’s sleep.
Heatwave hacks to improve your sleep
Freeze your sheets
Go for natural linen or eucalyptus fibre sheets – they wick away moisture, dry quickly and help air flow. To stay cool without soaking your bed, focus on smaller items.
Stick to freezing just your pillowcase or a light throw, not the whole bedding set. Pop them in a plastic bag and freeze for 15 minutes before bed.
Ditch your partner
Cuddling partners and pets can be comforting but not in a heatwave – so try to sleep solo if possible. Body heat is your worst enemy on hot nights. Even one extra person in bed can raise the temp by a few degrees.
Skip the cold shower before bed
Instead, Hope recommends having a lukewarm shower 90 minutes before bed, which helps kickstart your body’s cooling process and helps wind you down.
Cut the caffeine
Iced coffees might feel like a heatwave treat but caffeine is a diuretic and contributes to dehydration, one of the top causes of disturbed sleep. It also raises your body temperature, which is what you want to avoid.
