If you’re struggling to sleep in a heatwave or on a warm summer night, experts recommend this is the best sleeping position to stay cool at night.
You may already have a preferred sleeping position you naturally gravitate to night after night, but when the mercury soars, our experts say it’s worth switching up your sleeping habits to incorporate a posture that allows maximum airflow around your body.
That’s because airflow equals cooler skin, and on a hot and sticky night, that’s the key to better temperature regulation.
After all, once you’ve employed our top tips for how to keep a bedroom cool and how to stay cool in bed, sleep posture is the final piece of the puzzle that could get you a better night’s rest.
The best sleeping position to stay cool at night
So what's the best sleeping position to stay cool at night? 'Most people aren’t aware that when trying to get to sleep in the heat, one of the best sleeping positions is to sleep on your side,’ explains sleep environment expert and managing director of Woolroom, Chris Tattersall.
‘If you’re a back or front sleeper, consider switching to your side during the warmer months,’ agrees Alison Jones, sleep expert at Sealy.
Why adapt to this sleeping position when warm weather hits? ‘Because this position minimises the surface area of your body against the mattress and bedding,’ shares Chris. ‘This, in turn, will help stop you from feeling too hot in the night and avoid any subsequent sweating.’
‘This position exposes more of your body to the air, allowing heat to dissipate more effectively and helping to prevent temperature-related wake-ups,’ agrees Alison.
But what if you're not used to sleeping on your side? 'Sleeping on your side with a pillow placed between your knees can help align the spine and allow for better airflow,' says Sammy Margo, chartered physiotherapist and sleep expert at Dreams.
If you're used to sleeping on your back, you may also need to enlist a higher pillow if you switch to side sleeping during a heatwave. The best pillows for side sleepers are those that fill the gap between the ear and the mattress.
And if you're a diehard back sleeper and just can't get used to the change in position? 'Lying on your back with your limbs spread out can assist in cooling the body,' says Sammy, 'as it maximises the surface area exposed to the air. Additionally, using a lighter duvet or even using just the sheet or empty duvet cover can further enhance comfort.'
Of course, spread-eagling may not make you popular with your partner if you share a bed. However, as Sammy explains, if you have a guest bedroom to spare, you might want to consider a sleep divorce anyway during peak hot weather.
'If you usually share a bed, consider sleeping alone during a heatwave,' Sammy suggests. 'This can help prevent body heat from building up and making you even hotter.'
'Heatwaves can cause a host of problems when it comes to sleep,' warns Sammy. And whilst adding one of the best cooling mattress toppers or a cooling pillow to your sleep setup can help, 'when temperatures rise, it's crucial to adapt your sleeping position to enhance airflow and promote body cooling.'
