The reality is, many folks just don’t have the luxury of air conditioning and are forced to rely on alternate methods to stay cool. If you fall into that category, it’s important to know that there’s still hope, and relief is within reach — if you know where to look.
Here are some quirky and creative bed cooling solutions and ways to cope with those seemingly unbearable hot summer nights.
1) Linen sheets
First and foremost, if you haven’t already, you should highly consider investing in a good quality set of organic linen sheets. Linen sheets are renowned for their softness, breathability, and absorbency.
While synthetic fabrics can bunch up, feel scratchy, and trap heat, the breathable qualities of linen allow it to keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer, wicking away moisture and keeping you cool and dry.
2) Box fan
Most people think to place a box fan so that it’s blowing cool air into the house. However, an alternative method has also been proven effective: turn the fan around so that instead of just pushing the air around the room, it will actually blow the hot air out of the room. This is a unique method that can work wonders for people without air conditioning during the hot summer nights.
3) Ceiling fan
If you’re lucky enough to have a ceiling fan, you’re already ahead of the game. But, you can take it one step further by adjusting the settings so that the fan blades rotate counter clockwise, pulling the hot air up and away from your sleeping area.
4) Egyptian method
This trick is exceedingly unique and equally as effective. Just dampen a sheet or a towel and use it as a blanket. Laying them on top of a dry towel is recommended to avoid soaking the mattress. Alternatively, you can hang a dampened sheet or towel in front of an open window so that it cools the air as it flows through and lowers the temperature of the entire room.
5) Breathable clothing
Keep in mind that the clothes you wear to bed can majorly impact your temperature throughout the night. Wearing breathable clothes ensures that your body heat won’t get trapped up in your clothes or blankets during the night. A loose, cotton t-shirt and shorts usually work the best.
Some people prefer the all-natural method of sleeping in the nude, but others feel like it actually creates more heat since your body’s sweat has nowhere to go and will stay on your skin all night. It’s ultimately a matter of personal preference.
6) DIY air conditioner
This imaginative method was definitely thought up by somebody who had suffered through one too many hot summer nights and decided it was time to do something about it. It involves placing a shallow bowl of ice in front of a fan so that the air is cooled as it circulates around the room. It’s simple, but it works!
7) Frozen sheets
Similar to the Egyptian method, this technique involves sticking your sheets and/or blankets into the freezer and removing them once you’re ready to go to bed. This trick may not keep you cool throughout the entire night, but it will definitely help you to fall asleep initially.
8) Cross breeze
This trick may be more common, but it’s still innovative. Just position a fan from across an open window so that the air inside blends with the wind from outside and creates a cooling cross breeze. If you want to take it a step further, consider placing multiple fans around the room for a spiralling cool air effect.
9) Stay hydrated
You may not realize it, but staying hydrated makes a big difference in overall body temperature. If you’re not properly hydrated, your body has to work harder to maintain its equilibrium, causing you to become overheated.
Drinking just eight ounces of cold water before you hop into bed will cool down your internal temperature and allow you to fall asleep with ease. The more water you drink, the better, but you may want to limit your bedtime intake to avoid the need for a bathroom break at three in the morning.
10) Cold pack
Ice packs aren’t just for injuries, you know. While a warm water bottle can provide a heat source on cold winter nights, the opposite applies to hot summer nights. Just freeze a water bottle and bring it into bed with you.
It will stay cold all throughout the night, which means you will, too. If you’re concerned about the condensation getting your bed all wet, just wrap the bottle in a thin towel. This method works surprisingly well and requires minimal effort.
Staying cool throughout the hot summer months can certainly be a challenge, especially when it comes to bedtime. Give a couple of these tricks a try and you’ll be drifting off to sleep feeling cooler than ever before.
