Latest news with #sleepexpert
The Sun
a day ago
- Health
- The Sun
The part of your house that keeps you cool for free in a heatwave – and it's not your windows
THERE is nothing worse than struggling to sleep in a hot, humid room on a warm summer's night. The heat can often mean it can be tough to create the perfect bedroom temperature that gives us a good night's rest. 3 3 Which is why most of us are forced to fork out for a fan to avoid a restless, sweaty sleep and feeling shattered and drained the next day. But did you know that there is a part of your home that can actually cool you for free? And no, it's not the windows. A sleep expert has now revealed that the precise position of your door can make all the difference when it comes to keeping cool at bedtime in the summer. This is because, depending on how it is placed, it can significantly reduce bedroom temperatures. Which, in turn, can save you from facing an uncomfortable night's rest. Dr Jordan Burns, from Amerisleep, says the way bedroom doors are positioned affects airflow patterns within sleeping spaces. Good sleep remains possible during hot weather if you understand how to control airflow in your home Dr Jordan Burnsexpert from Amerisleep And this can either create cooling cross-ventilation or it can trap heat, depending on the angle chosen. The specialist said: "Most people focus solely on windows for cooling, but bedroom doors control how air circulates throughout your sleeping space. "A properly positioned door can make the difference between restful sleep and hours of uncomfortable tossing and turning." So, what is the perfect position to leave your door at night for a nice, cool, blissful sleep? Dr Burns has said that everyone should take a more precise approach and suggests positioning the door at a 45-degree angle. The sleep doctor explained: "The optimal angle for a bedroom door at night is approximately 45 degrees. "This specific position creates what fluid dynamics calls a 'venturi effect' that accelerates airflow through the narrower opening, pulling hot air out more efficiently than a fully open door would." But he warns that you should never leave your door completely open or fully closed if you want a cool space. Dr Burns said this is the most common mistake people make during hot weather, and it can actually leave you feeling WARMER. He added: "A completely open door actually slows down airflow in many cases because the opening is too large to create the pressure differentials that drive air movement. "Conversely, a fully closed door prevents any air exchange, trapping heat and moisture that build up while you sleep." The sleep expert suggests a simple method to test if your door positioning is working effectively for bedroom cooling. Dr Bruns advised: "Place a lightweight ribbon or tissue near the gap between the door and frame. "If it moves toward the door, you're successfully drawing air through the room. "If it remains still or moves away, adjust your window and door configuration until you achieve proper airflow. "Good sleep remains possible during hot weather if you understand how to control airflow in your home. "Door positioning is a cost-free intervention that can improve your sleeping environment. "It can also reduce both energy costs and environmental impact compared to mechanical cooling options." 3
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
Expert reveals four easy steps to stay cool this summer - and one involves placing an everyday item in your freezer for 10 minutes
With temperatures on the rise and summer heatwaves setting in, staying cool is more important than ever. Thankfully, an expert at EarthKind, a sustainable bedding company, has revealed four 'easy steps' to beat the heat this summer on @earthkinduk TikTok. The footage - which racked up over 120,000 views - was captioned: 'How to cool down in bed.' The sleep expert advised that the best way to stay cool at night is to take a cold shower before going to bed. She said: 'Take a cold shower 15-20 minutes before you go to sleep to cool down your body temperature.' Next, she shared how a wet flannel could be the answer to sleepless summer nights this year. The expert explained : 'Take a flannel and run it under some cold water - this can be used to dab your face throughout the night to cool you down or as a cold compress on your head.' Another tip was to close your blinds during the day to ensure sunlight stays out of your home. 'Make sure all your blinds are down so the sunlight does not warm up your bedroom,' the expert stressed. Finally, the EarthKind employee shared her 'favourite' piece of advice for keeping cool this summer. 'Take your pillowcase and put them in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes and trust me, you will have the best night sleep with these hacks.' Many took to the comments to share that they plan to try the hacks themselves - but others were sceptical. One person said: 'I'll try it!' Another added: 'Showering before bed with cold water is bad as it makes u feel energised and increases adrenaline.' If you can't sleep in the heat, scientists may have a counterintuitive solution. Although it might seem bizarre, putting on a pair of socks before you head to bed could be the key to drifting off peacefully. Studies have shown that this simple hack can help you fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and get a better night of rest. Wearing socks has even been proven to be effective at bedroom temperatures up to 23°C. This strange trick works because our bodies' sleep and temperature regulation systems are deeply linked. Professor Eus van Someren, head of the Department of Sleep and Cognition at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, told MailOnline: 'The brain not only regulates body temperature, but also reads out skin temperature. It may interpret warm feet as the right moment to fall asleep.' Our core body temperature has a day-night rhythm, starting to drop in the evening to reach its lowest point around four in the morning. That means the best time to sleep is when the core body temperature is on its way down. Normally, your body would cool itself close to bedtime by sending blood to the skin in a process called distal vasodilation, which makes the skin hot. Professor van Someren says this is like 'opening the radiator in the heating system in your home.' When you put on socks, this increases the temperature of your skin and creates signals that your brain mistakes for the warming caused by vasodilation. Your brain will then believe that it is time to fall asleep, and you will find it easier to drift off. But wearing socks also helps you get to sleep in a more counterintuitive way. When our skin becomes hot, the brain's temperature control system sends a signal to the body telling it to start venting heat by sending hot blood into veins near the surface. This causes an increase in vasodilation, sending blood rushing to the skin and dropping the core body temperature down to safe levels. Dr Michael Gradisar, head of sleep science and clinical psychologist and Sleep Cycle, says that wearing socks can trick the body into triggering vasodilation. This, in turn, causes the core body temperature to drop and helps you drift off to sleep. Dr Gradisar says: 'For people who need extra help warming their feet to assist their natural thermoregulation, socks can be helpful.' That might be especially useful if you suffer from Raynaud's phenomenon, poor circulation, or other conditions that interfere with blood flow to the extremities. A study published in 2018 by researchers from Seoul National University found that wearing bed socks significantly improved sleep even when the room was a toasty 23°C. Those who wore socks to bed fell asleep 7.5 minutes faster on average and woke up more than seven times less frequently during the night.
Daily Mail
13-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE REVEALED: The ultimate way to beat insomnia... and what you should NEVER do in bed
Millions know the pain of tossing and turning at night, especially as the hot summer months get underway. But a world-renowned sleep expert has shared his ultimate five-step plan to help you finally get some quality shut-eye. Your browser does not support iframes.
Forbes
23-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Forbes
Cozy Earth's Sheets Are The Most Luxurious I've Tried—Get 35% Off With Our Exclusive Code
The moment I slipped into Cozy Earth's bamboo sheets, every other set I'd tried was ruined by comparison. It felt like I was climbing into a bed at a five-star hotel instead of the one in my tiny New York City apartment. Trust me: If you haven't picked up a set of Cozy Earth sheets, you're missing out. Luckily, you can get them right now for less with our exclusive discount code: Use FORBESVETTED at checkout to save 35% on any size set and color through June 2. Our deals editor swears by Cozy Earth sheets. Use our code to save 35% on your own set. Beyond feeling incredibly luxurious against my skin (think silky-smooth, melt-into-bed soft), they've also been a game changer for me as a hot sleeper. These Cozy Earth sheets have a subtle cooling effect, like a light breeze brushing against my skin, which is why they made our mattress team's list of the best cooling sheets. Ever since I started using them, I've been waking up less throughout the night—and even falling into a deeper, more restful sleep. Retailer. While I care more about feel and quality over aesthetics, it's worth mentioning that they also gave my bed a bit of a facelift. The sheets have a slight sheen that catches the light, and despite repeat washes, the finish has yet to fade. Speaking of washing, the brand claims the material only gets softer with every wash—and I can confirm that's true. As for stains, they never stick around; I've spilled coffee, condiments, and more, and they've all come out in one wash. My only qualm is the set tends to wrinkle easily, but considering all its qualities, I'm willing to overlook it. Finally, it's worth noting that the brand pairs top-quality fibers, yarns and weaves with its own innovative technology to ensure pilling doesn't occur. After a year of use, most sheet sets would have started to show signs of wear by now—but these have maintained their original look and feel. Use code FORBESVETTED to save 35% on your own set of bamboo sheets from Cozy Earth—they're available in sizes Twin XL through California King and 11 color options. The code works sitewide, so you can also score deals on other editor-loved favorites from the brand. Retailer Retailer. Retailer. Cozy Earth offers top-quality sheets that come highly recommended by Forbes Vetted editors. Made from 100% viscose from bamboo fabric, they allow for superior air circulation—making them a smart choice for hot sleepers—and only get softer with every wash. While I noted that they wrinkle easily, it's a small trade-off for their overall comfort and feel. Yes, Cozy Earth sheets are machine washable and can be run through the dryer on a regular cycle. While the brand warns that slight shrinkage may occur over time, it won't affect how the sheets fit your mattress. Cozy Earth isn't offering a Memorial Day sale this year, but there is still a way to save on purchases. Use our exclusive discount code, FORBESVETTED, to take 35% off any purchase, no minimum required. The code is live from now through June 2, giving you ample time to shop.
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Daily Mail
A travel expert's five tried-and-tested hacks to beat jet lag
With half-term fast approaching, plenty of us will be preparing to jet off for some early summer sunshine. But as blissful as a holiday is, there's one element of travelling we don't relish: the jet lag. Jet lag is the extreme fatigue you experience while travelling across time zones, and a recent study has shown it can impact your sleep quality for at least a week. It's particularly bad after travelling eastward (on return to the UK, you effectively have to stay up for additional hours), which is bad news given the boom in tourism to eastern locations like Thailand and Japan. Let's be honest: with work, childcare and all the other everyday activities, we can't afford a week of feeling tired all the time. So when Martin Seeley, CEO and sleep expert at MattressNextDay, shared his five tried-and-tested tips for beating jet lag, you'd better believe we listened up. Here are his top hacks to enjoy your holiday and return home feeling relaxed and rejuvenated, wherever you travel. Start shifting your sleep schedule a few days before travel 'Jet lag is essentially your body clock being out of sync with the clock,' Seeley explains. 'But there are ways to start incrementally syncing your body with the time zone of where you're flying to.' 'A few days before your trip, move your bedtime and wake-up time by 30 to 60 minutes each day towards the time zone you're travelling to,' Seeley advises. 'For example, if you're flying east, try going to bed earlier.' 'This gradual adjustment gives your internal clock a head start, so you're not trying to make a big jump all at once, and therefore should experience less severe symptoms when you land.' Change your watch and phone to your destination's time as soon as you board the plane Most of us wait until we land to start fiddling with our watch to adjust the time (and phones only change when they regain network signal after airplane mode is switched off). However, Seeley says we should instead be switching to our new time zone as soon as we sit down for the flight. 'It might seem like a small thing,' he admits, 'but it's a powerful psychological cue that helps your brain start thinking in the new time zone. It's particularly useful if you're on a long-haul flight and trying to sleep, as you'll be aware whether you're doing so in sync with the correct time zone.' 'This early mental shift can make it easier to sleep and eat according to local time both while flying and as soon as you land, speeding up your adjustment.' Use temperature cues to manipulate your body clock 'Temperature plays a key role in signalling to your body when to sleep and when to wake,' Seeley explains, 'and you can therefore use it to trick your body into feeling more tired or lively.' 'Try taking a cool shower in the morning to help wake you up gently, and a warm shower about an hour before bed, as this helps encourage sleepiness.' 'Keeping your bedroom cool – around 16 to 18°C – also supports deeper, more restful sleep. These simple temperature cues can help your body adjust faster to a new time zone and reduce jet lag.' Keep your evenings calm and lights low We all know how disruptive the blue light emitted by screens is to our sleep schedule. But this is particularly the case when your body is already out of whack because of the change in time zone. 'It's even more important to dim the lights and avoid screens for at least an hour before bed,' Seeley explains, 'because blue light from phones and tablets tricks your brain into thinking it's still daytime, making it harder to fall asleep.' 'Instead, wind down with a book, some gentle stretching, or meditation. This helps your body produce melatonin naturally and signals it's time to rest, which is vital for resetting your internal clock.' Consider melatonin supplements, especially for eastward flights Over the past few years, melatonin supplements have surged in popularity as people rave about the sleep-boosting benefits. For Seeley, eastward travel is when they work most effectively, to help provide the sleep chemicals your body needs. 'If you're crossing multiple time zones, especially flying east, a small dose of melatonin about an hour before your new local bedtime can help nudge your body clock in the right direction,' Seeley advises. 'It's not a magic bullet, but many travellers find it useful. Just make sure to consult your doctor before trying supplements.' In the UK, melatonin is prescription-only, so you will need to speak to your GP if you want to try it.
