That said, being too cold isn’t ideal either. If your body has to work too hard to stay warm, it may interfere with your ability to enter deep sleep. But when you find the right balance—a comfortably cool room—the benefits go beyond just a good night’s sleep.
Here’s what a cooler room can do for you:
- Improve Sleep Quality: A cool room helps your body cool down naturally, supporting deeper sleep and reducing night sweats or overheating.
- Help You Fall Asleep Faster: Since your core body temperature needs to drop before sleep, a cool room helps speed up that process.
- Support Metabolism: Sleeping in cooler conditions may activate brown fat, which burns calories and supports weight management. One study found that men who slept in 66°F rooms increased their brown fat and metabolism.
- Boost Overall Health: Cooler sleep environments have been linked to better insulin regulation and improved sensitivity, potentially lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes.
- Protect Brain Health: High-quality sleep helps your brain clear out toxins. Research links poor sleep to cognitive decline, while cooler temperatures can help support the deep sleep your brain needs.
If you’ve ever used a cold towel during a heatwave or experienced temperature sensitivity during menopause, you know just how much temperature affects sleep. The takeaway? Turn down the heat, crack open a window, and enjoy a cooler night’s rest. Your sleep, focus, health—and even your waistline—may thank you.