Tips for cool kips: How to get to sleep during a heatwave

Can’t sleep due to sweltering heat and humidity across the UK? If so, you will find the advice below extremely helpful.

17:29 23 July 2014

Britain is experiencing a rare showing of sweltering heat with temperatures around 30C and it’s expected to continue through August.

Although this is something that sunseekers will welcome, it could pose a problem at night as many of us find it challenging to get a good night’s sleep while drenched in perspiration.

Below are tips to help you sleep in the heatwave:

• Forget about your clingy pyjamas and sleep stripped down when possible.
• Allow air to circulate by opening as many windows as possible.
• Instead of the severity of an ice-cold shower before bed, opt for lukewarm shower to allow your body to cope with the temperature outside.
• Make use of electric fan that will blow cool air over you.
• Lower down the temperature inside the house by keeping your shutters and your blinds closed where the sun is shining.
• Make sure to have a glass of iced water near your bed which you’ll find useful when you find yourself dehydrated during the night.
• Fill a spray bottle with cold water to spritz yourself while lying in bed.
• Make sure the boiler is turned off – a hot water tank will still radiate heat.
• Turn your pillow over if it gets too hot. This way you can experience a cooler side.
• Go for a thin sheet to absorb sweat rather than a heavy duvet style.
• If you have a loft, open the hatch at night giving the hot air somewhere higher to rise to. Remember, hot air rises. You may even want to kip downstairs.