Weather that makes it too hot to sleep is not a traditional aspect of the British climate, but it's boiling hot in Europe and looks to be heading this way now. Many of us in the south of the country have already been caught unprepared this weekend – honestly, who knew? – and are, as a result, completely exhausted. So how do you get a good night's sleep in the baking summer heat?
Open the window
This may seem obvious, but if you haven't tried it in a while, you may find your window difficult, if not impossible, to prise open. It might be painted shut. You may have lost that little key to the burglar-proof lock that keeps the sash from opening more than 2in. Think carefully about which windows you do open: this is prime weather for robbing houses.
Engage in breeze management
If you want cooling air flowing past you, you'll need a cross-breeze. Along with your windows, jam open any connecting doors, peel back all curtains, prop open the cat flap.
Take the duvet out of the duvet cover
Sleep under the cover, instead.
Don't move
The trick to keeping cool is staying still: once you're in bed, remain absolutely motionless. Impress the utmost importance of this rule on anyone who shares your bed. Tell them the future of your relationship depends on it.
Get a fan
Make sure it's the kind that rotates from side to side, the better to rake the length of you with blasts of electrically generated wind. And make sure it's quiet; you'll want it inches from your head.
Think about bills
Your future employment prospects, the perilous state of the economy, stupid things you have recently said or done while drunk. This should help you break out in a nice cold sweat.
Still too hot to sleep?
Check to make sure the central heating is off. You may well have switched it on one freezing night back in June, and forgotten all about it.
