How to Sleep Comfortably When the Bedroom Feels Like an Oven
Hot, sticky nights can make sleep nearly impossible. Even if conventional air conditioning isn’t available, there are simple, low-cost methods that use airflow, evaporation, and targeted cooling to help your body rest.
Why Heat Disrupts Sleep
Your body naturally cools in the evening, signaling the onset of sleep. High temperatures interfere with this process, making it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep. Heat raises heart rate, triggers sweating, and can even increase anxiety. Even a small reduction of a few degrees—either in the room or on your body—can significantly improve sleep quality.
Evaporative Cooling: Cool the Room
One surprisingly effective low-tech method is hanging a damp towel over an open window.
How it works:
Evaporation absorbs heat from the air.
As warm air passes through the towel, some heat is transferred to the water, producing a cooler airflow.
Tips for best results:
Use a lightly wrung towel—damp but not dripping.
Place the window where a natural breeze or draft flows through.
Use a small fan to circulate the cooled air if there’s no breeze.
Dry climates see the greatest effect, though humid environments will still benefit.
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