What’s the typical indoor temperature of your home at night? Believe it or not, the number you choose can significantly impact on the quality of your sleep. Here’s how temperature affects your nightly slumber.
Our Body Temperature and Sleep
The core temperature of our bodies decreases as we approach sleep. There are differing theories about why we do this, including energy conservation, a decrease in metabolism, and cell synchronization. What matters is that we sleep better when the room and our bodies are cooler.
Heat and Sleep
When your bedroom is too warm, you’re more likely to be restless and have more difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. Being too warm can also disrupt your REM sleep, the stage most important to dreaming, brain development, and memory.
Cold and Sleep
Cooler temperatures aid in restful sleep, but if your room is too cold, it can be as bad or worse than being too hot. As your body works to keep you asleep and warm, it also adds pressure and strain on your breathing, blood vessel constriction, and cardiovascular system.
The Right Temperature for Sleep
Experts agree that the ideal temperature for sleep lies between 60° and 67°. Not only does a cooler room help you fall asleep and stay asleep by allowing your body to maintain a lower core temperature, but it also helps you have more stable REM sleep.
A cooler bedroom means better sleep. But, if your HVAC system is making it hard to keep your home at the right temperature consistently, it’s time to call in the pros. Reach out to G+S Heating and Air for HVAC service to help your system maintain the right temperature. Your sleep depends on it.
