Summers can be absolutely dreadful for hot sleepers. Nights become unbearably warm and even throwing off the duvet doesn't seem to make you cooler. It doesn't help that summers are getting hotter, with the current season expected to be one of the hottest on record. 

Here are 8 summer survival tips for hot sleepers. Of course, you can use central AC if you have one. But it’s expensive to run if you just want to cool your bedroom at night. So we’ve included other options below. 

1. Switch to Summer Bedding 

If you are still using your heavy duvet from winter, it’s time to switch to something lighter and cooler. Get a lightweight summer comforter, ideally one made from breathable materials like wool, cotton, bamboo or linen. 

Check your bed sheets as well. If you have polyester or microfiber sheets, they can make you hotter and sweatier at night. Switch to cool and moisture-wicking bed sheets such as our summer edition Jax sheets. 

Bed sheets made from natural and semi-synthetic materials like bamboo, Tencel, cotton, silk and linen are the best when it comes to staying cool in the summer. 

If you have a memory foam mattress, that can also become a huge problem when you are trying to stay cool. A cooling mattress such as latex, innerspring or hybrid will make summer nights a lot more comfortable. 

If you don't have the budget for a new mattress, get a cooling mattress pad or topper instead. 

2. Close the Windows and Curtains During the Day

You can keep your bedroom cool by preventing it from heating up in the first place. On days when it is sweltering hot, close the bedroom windows and curtains or blinds. This keeps the inside cooler even as temperatures rise outdoors. 

Once it gets cooler in the evening, you can open the window to let the air in. By the time you go to bed, your bedroom should feel comfortably cool.  

3. Turn on a Fan 

To be clear, a fan does not lower room temperature. It just moves air around. But this can make you cooler and more comfortable. 

Air movement prevents heat from pooling around your bed. If you have a window open, turning on a fan can help push the hot air out. A fan also allows sweat to evaporate faster from your skin and sheets, which cools you down. 

You can use a ceiling fan or a bedside floor/desk fan. You can also get a bed fan that blows air directly under the sheets.

Tip: To get a fan to actually cool your bedroom, place a container of ice water in front of it. Air blowing over the ice water gets cooler, thus making the room cooler. 

4. Use a Window or Portable AC 

If it’s too expensive to run your central AC (or if you don't have one), smaller AC units designed to cool just one room are more efficient to operate. 

A window AC unit is the best option. It’s quiet, powerful and efficient. If you want to be able to cool different rooms at different times, get a portable AC. It’s not as efficient or as quiet as a window unit, but it’s just as effective at keeping your bedroom cool. 

5. Use an Evaporative Cooler

If you don't want to use any kind of air conditioning, the other option is an evaporative or swamp cooler. It’s cheaper to buy and runs on very little electricity. The only catch is that it only works in hot and dry environments (under 40% humidity).   

6. Get a Bed Cooling System 

A bed cooling system is even more efficient and cheaper to operate compared to any kind of AC. That’s because it only cools your bed, not the entire room. 

There are two types of bed cooling systems: those that run on air such as BedJet and those that run on water such as ChiliPad by Sleepme. 

An air-based system is the best if you sweat a lot or get hot flashes (meaning you need instant cooling). A water-based system is best for extra-hot climates. It can get much colder than an air-based system.  

7. Eat Your Dinner Earlier

Digestion raises body temperature. Not by much but enough to make you uncomfortable if you are already struggling to sleep cool. That’s why it’s a good idea to eat an earlier dinner. It gives your body plenty of time to digest food before you sleep. 

It also matters what kinds of food you eat. Spicy foods raise the body temperature more, so consider limiting or avoiding them for dinner. 

8. Limit Cuddles

Cuddling is perfect on a chilly winter night, but a problem when summer nights roll in. Sleeping close to someone else significantly increases bed temperature, making you hotter. 

Limit your cuddles to only a few minutes then roll away to avoid overheating. We hope your partner understands. 

If you are getting really hot and sweaty, you may have to go all the way and get a sleep divorce. No, it’s not as bad as it sounds. It means you sleep on a separate bed until things cool down. It can help both of you get better quality sleep. 

9. Stay Hydrated

Drinking water not only helps your body regulate internal temperature, it also prevents dehydration. You sweat more when it’s hot, especially if you have bedding that traps heat. If you are not careful, you could get dehydrated enough that it affects your sleep quality. 

Keep a bottle of water on your bedside and take frequent sips through the night. 

10. Take a Cold Shower 

Finally, take a cold shower just before sleep. It helps to quickly lower core body temperature, which in turn helps you fall asleep faster.