By Izzie Norwood –
Record temperatures and heatwaves have been set across the UK this week, reaching 30C in some areas and a scorching 32.2C being recorded at Heathrow Airport on Tuesday.
Kirklees has faced much the same weather as the rest of the UK, with the borough bathed in plenty of sunshine throughout the week.
While the heat can certainly be lovely, with shorts, ice creams and trips to the park brightening the days of those lucky enough to have time off work, the difficulty of getting a good night’s sleep can be a problem for many.
Here are a few top tips for battling the sweat and beating that nighttime heat in Kirklees.
Draw your curtains during the day
First off, preparing your residence much as possible in advance is key. Setting up a nice, cool environment will help you with dozing off throughout the day, as the heat naturally makes us use more energy.
Keep any curtains closed which face the sun’s direction, and contrary to what seems logical, closing windows during the day can be a real advantage, as the hot air from outside can end up simply heating the whole house when let in!
No napping
As mentioned, while an afternoon doze may sound ideal, the more sleepy you can be when you are ready for bed, the better. Also, try avoiding caffeinated drinks, especially before bedtime. Sleeping in the heat is one thing, but when you’re wide awake it’s even tougher!
Thinner bed sheets
Swap out those winter duvets for a thin bedsheet or throw, and be sure to throw on some loose, thin pyjamas. Thin cotton materials are ideal for absorbing sweat.
Cool socks
Now I know this sounds like a strange one, but cooling your feet actually helps lower the overall temperature of your skin and body. Popping your socks in the fridge for a bit before bed can work wonders. Heat rises up through your body, so cut it off at the source!
Of course, there are many other top tips for keeping cool; filling a hot water bottle with ice-cold water can be a lifesaver for those extra-hot sleepers.
Sleep like a starfish
We all remember GCSE Science, right? The larger the surface area, the more heat can escape.
Spreading out as much as possible whilst sleeping can encourage this, keeping us cooler for longer.
Have a shower before bed
With the added benefit of removing all the dry sweat and grime that accumulates throughout the day, a cool shower at the end of the day can leave you with a chilly feeling once you step out.
There’s no need to have the water temperature on full blast, but a relatively warm shower can help cool your body down as the water evaporates from your skin.
Follow the basics
So those are just a few tips and tricks that can help keep your overall temperature during the night.
Give some of these tips a go, but if you’re still struggling, just make sure to do everything you can to keep your home cool, and certainly slather on the sunscreen and protect yourself with some insect spray if you plan on braving the outdoors over the next couple of weeks.