If you’re struggling to get a good night’s sleep in the heatwave, don’t worry, as Dr Amir Khan has some simple tricks to help you drift off and feel refreshed in the morning
With the recent heatwave sending temperatures soaring, many find themselves tossing and turning in sweaty bed sheets, desperate for a good night’s rest. Hot weather, though a cause for joy and “summery” feelings, disrupts our sleep – and we all know that getting ample shut-eye is crucial for our wellbeing.
But those struggling to drift off needn’t suffer any longer, as ITV’s own Dr Amir Khan has offered up some indispensable guidance for keeping cool at night. On a recent appearance on Lorraine, he unveiled just a couple of adjustments that could transform your sweaty slumber into blissful z’s during the heatwave.
In a snippet from the show, Dr Khan shares: “My two really practical top tips. If you’ve got a fan at home, don’t just blow hot air around – get a bowl of ice or frozen peas, [and] put it under the fan.
“As the air blows over it, it will cool the air, and you’ll have a really efficient and free air conditioning system. Step number two, get a pair of socks.
“Put them in a plastic Ziploc bag, put them in the freezer an hour before bed, because it’s really hard to sleep when it’s this hot. Put those socks on before you get into bed. It will cool your body down, and you’ll have a much better night’s sleep tonight.”
The tip has taken the internet by storm, with the clip amassing thousands of likes. People have also taken to the comments section to share their take on these ingenious life hacks.
One commenter praised: “Top tips for the cost of living crisis.” While another confirmed: “Brilliant advice.”
A third person replied: “Thank you for sharing.” Also, a fourth chimed in with: “Love the socks idea.”
The sweltering heat can wreak havoc on our sleep patterns. Naturally, our body temperature decreases as we prepare to hit the hay, but elevated temperatures can thwart this process.
To drift off into slumber and stay asleep, it’s crucial for the body’s core temperature to dip, yet excessive heat can be a stumbling block, resulting in fretful sleep and trouble nodding off.
How much sleep do you need?
The NHS explains: “A healthy adult usually needs around seven to nine hours of sleep. However, age, health and personal circumstances affect how much sleep we need, plus some people naturally sleep more than others.
“Teenagers, children and babies need more sleep because they are still growing, but that varies, too, with a newborn sleeping anywhere between eight to 16 hours.”
People often face difficulties snoozing, and the triggers can shift as life goes on. Factors such as ailments, occupational stress, anxiety or having a new addition to the family can lead to disturbed sleep.
While occasional sleep disruption is usually not cause for concern, if you find your day-to-day life suffering, it may be time to seek advice from your GP.