Can't sleep in the heat? 3 tried-and-tested hacks to help you nod off comfortably as temperatures soar
Staying cool and comfortable during a heatwave is no mean feat, particularly in the UK, where we're so much less equipped than other regions. Given we rarely experience such scorching heat, the majority of us don't have air-con units, and since a decent fan can cost upwards of £100 (and, let's be real, won't be needed for 50 weeks of the year), lots of people are stuck with one that feels like it's simply churning out stale warm air.
While we can function through the day – albeit a bit slower and sweatier than usual – it's at nighttime that the real heatwave discomfort kicks in. There are few worse feelings than tossing and turning, desperately flipping your pillow and counting down the hours, knowing you're going to feel dreadful the coming morning.
But that needn't be your hot-weather fate. We've compiled a list of three handy hacks for staying cool during balmy nights that'll have you thinking: 'How haven't I thought of that before?' Prepare to wake up feeling rested, refreshed and just a little bit smug.
Hang a wet sheet in front of your window
There's a lot of debate about whether windows and curtains should be open or closed to keep your place cool in the summer. But according to Dreams Sleep Expert, Sammy Margo, there's a simple answer.
'Dampen a sheet with cold water, and then hang it in front of an open window,' Margo advises. 'The breeze blows the sheet and the cold water slowly evaporates, cooling down your room.'
Invest in a pet cooling mat
Anyone with a furry friend will know just how important it is to keep them cool when hot weather strikes. That's why supermarket shelves are filled with gel cooling pads, usually around £5, that you pop in the freezer and then place on your pet's bed for them to lie on.
However, one savvy BBC Radio 2 listener texted into the show and pointed out the pet coolers work just as well when used in human beds. And a quick scour of the internet shows it's true: plenty of people cool the gel pads during the day, then place them underneath their fitted sheet before getting into bed.
It's important you opt for a specially designed gel pad (like the pet versions available in supermarkets) rather than trying to replicate it with a wet towel or the like. That's because the latter will start to melt and create a wet, uncomfortable bed, while the former is designed to stay cool for longer and gradually warm without leaking moisture.
Power up your fan with a bowl of ice
It's a common complaint that desk fans just blow out warm air. But there's a quick (and easy) way to make dusty old units instantly more effective.
Either buy a bag of ice or freeze a tray of cubes, then tip them into a bowl and place it in front of your fan. According to the Good Housekeeping Institute, 'as the air passes over the ice, it will be chilled and will circulate refreshingly cold air around the room'.
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