The Met Office is forecasting lows of -20°C in some parts of the country this weekend – and it’s important to keep your bedroom at the right temperature to ensure a good night’s sleep
The Met Office has issued a warning for Brits to prepare for even chillier temperatures this weekend, with the mercury expected to plummet to minus 20°C in some parts of the UK on Friday (January 1) night.
Freezing temperatures can cause a host of issues for households, including boiler problems, frozen pipes, condensation and challenges drying wet laundry.
Therefore, it’s advised to keep your home warm throughout the cold snap to prevent property damage. Families with babies or young children will also want to ensure their bedrooms are sufficiently heated overnight.
With this in mind, experts have shared the ideal temperature for your bedroom – and it might be cooler than you’d expect. According to Bed Advice UK, the “perfect” temperature for your bedroom is roughly 16-18°C.
They explained that this is because your body heat peaks in the late afternoon and then begins to decrease in the evening to ready your body for sleep, which triggers melatonin production. Having a bedroom that’s too hot or too cold can significantly affect your sleep quality, particularly during the REM (rapid eye movement) stage, which is linked to memory, learning and improved mental health.
Temperatures exceeding 24°C will likely lead to restlessness, while a bedroom at 12°C or lower could make it hard to fall asleep initially, reports the Express.
You can cut down on your energy bills by adjusting your thermostat to the right temperature, ensuring you’re not unnecessarily heating your home when it’s already cosy enough for sleep. The perfect sleeping temperature varies depending on age, but for babies and toddlers, a safe room temperature is between 16-20°C.
As per the Lullaby Trust, this will keep your little one at a comfortable temperature – neither too chilly nor too warm. The risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) increases in babies who become overheated during the night.
Judging the room’s temperature accurately can be tricky, so experts recommend investing in a room thermometer. Also, keep extra layers handy in case the room’s temperature falls below the suggested level overnight.