Picture this: It’s the middle of the summer, and the air conditioner is out. You’ve done everything you can to stay cool, such as leaving the doors and windows open, but nothing seems to work. You struggle to sleep at night, and your sheets are soaked in sweat. There’s nothing worse than trying to sleep in a hot, humid room, and the days are no better.
The immediate solution to your problem would be to look for air-conditioning repair. After all, nothing beats the sweltering days and nights better than the cold blast of an air conditioner. But an AC uses a lot of energy, not exactly the best solution if sustainability is important to you.
1. Choose light fabrics
Satin, polyester, and silk might be comfortable, but they trap a lot of heat. If you want to stay cool during the warm summer nights, use bedding made of light natural fabrics such as cotton and linen. They’re incredibly breathable, which makes for better airflow and ventilation.
Even without air conditioning, you’ll still get a restful sleep with light fabrics. Some studies also claim that cotton and linen offer better sleep quality compared to heavier materials.
2. Freeze your sheets
A quick way to stay cool in the heat is to put the bedding in the freezer for a few minutes. It should be placed inside a plastic bag unless you want to sleep on sheets that smell like raw meat. While this a temporary solution, you’ll very much enjoy sleeping on cold sheets.
3. Use fans to move air
While most people use fans to direct cool air towards you, one creative way to lower a room’s temperature and humidity is to use fans to blow hot air outdoors. Point a fan out a window, and it will move warm air out. If you have a ceiling fan, you can also use it to move air around the room.
4. Soak your blanket in water
It might sound odd, but soaking a blanket in water is a method that’s been in use for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians slept with a soaked blanket to stay cool during warm, humid nights by the Nile. Place a dry towel or two under you to protect the bedding from the moisture.
5. Wear less clothing
You don’t have to wear a full set of pajamas to bed if it means that you’re going to be tossing and turning in bed. Just wear comfortable underwear or shorts and maybe a loose cotton undershirt.
Some people even sleep in the nude to ward off the heat. But if you’re the sweaty type, you might wake up with damp bedding.
6. Eat less
Eating lighter, smaller meals before sleep helps you keep your body cooler. If you eat something heavy and hearty like a piece of steak, your body has to work harder to digest your meal, which makes you feel sweatier and warmer.
It’s not just a matter of personal comfort; staying cool helps protect against heat injuries. As the world warms up, we have to find ways to handle the rising temperatures. These pointers will help you stay cool and comfortable while reducing your carbon footprint.
