In the Midwest, we have to put up with all sorts of weather and temperatures. From frigid winters to hot and humid summers, we’ve lived through it all! And we know what it’s like to find the sweet spot with the temperature in order to be comfortable in any season. But how do you find the optimal temperature for sleeping?
Research from the American Association for the Advancement of Science found that a significant amount of people experience abnormal sleeping patterns in the summer months, which is likely due to the hotter temperatures causing discomfort.
While the Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat to 78 degrees during the summer for energy efficiency, research actually shows that the ideal room temperature for sleeping is between 60 and 67 degrees. It may not help save energy, but it will help you catch a few more z’s!
Some might think that 60-67 degrees is too cold for their liking, but cooler temps in your sleep space directly affect your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep longer throughout the night.
According to a National Sleep Foundation poll, 4 out of 5 people rated room temperature as one of the most important components to a good night’s sleep. Since your body temperature naturally decreases at night to signal that it is time to sleep, a cool room helps to calibrate your body temperature and get you ready for sleep.
A cooler room will also aid in the production of your body’s natural sleep hormone, melatonin. Melatonin helps regulate your circadian rhythm, which is the body’s 24-hour internal clock that manages the sleep-wake cycle. Your body naturally produces melatonin as it gets darker and as your body cools down at the end of the day, signaling that your body is ready for sleep. By sleeping in a cool room, you’re helping to lower your body temperature and aiding the production of melatonin.
If you’re looking to get a better night’s sleep, try clicking your thermostat down a few notches. You could change the temperature on your thermostat right before you go to bed, or if you have a programmable thermostat, set it to automatically reduce the temperature at your normal bed time. Running a fan will also help circulate the cool air steadily throughout the night.
Also, consider swapping out your bedding to help with your body temperature. The type of bedding you’ll want to use depends on the season. You might want to wrap yourself in flannel pjs and sheets and a big comforter in the winter, but linen and cotton sheets and maybe just a lightweight blanket would be better in the summer.
With 40 years of experience, American Star has the expertise to fine tune your A/C system to help give you the best possible sleeping conditions. Give us a call at (847) 321-7704 to schedule your service.
