A relaxing bedroom is an important aspect of a good night’s sleep, and temperature is one of the strongest influences on comfort. Adjusting the temperature of your room every night by just a few degrees can increase the length and quality of your sleep. But just like how people have different comfort preferences, they also have different preferences for sleep.
We’ll review what temperatures are beneficial for sleep and why. Then, we’ll offer some ideas for HVAC equipment or accessories that might help improve sleep.
Your Body Is Designed to Cool Off During Sleep
According to the Sleep Foundation, the ideal bedroom temperature is around 65 degrees. Your specific preferences will have an impact, so anywhere around 63-67 is a good rule of thumb. But why is a cooler temperature better to sleep in?
Sleep happens in cycles, and this pattern is known as a circadian rhythm. Our bodies take in information including the amount of light and heat around us to keep the circadian rhythm in balance with what’s necessary for healthy sleep. Since the sun’s warmth dissipates at night, the circadian rhythm interprets cooler temperatures as a better environment for sleep. This is why a cooler, darker bedroom is easier to fall asleep in than a room that’s hot and well-lit.
As you fall asleep, your body stops a lot of automatic processes that help maintain your internal temperature. For example, sweating helps dissipate excess heat while shivering is the muscles’ way of warming themselves up. When you don’t regulate the temperature of your bedroom, even minor changes can be strong enough to wake you up.