You need a good night’s rest if you are going to be in good health. However, staying cool at night can become quite the challenge if you are a hot sleeper. Sleeping while overheating can cause you to experience night sweats and frequent awakenings interrupting your sleep, hence resulting in grogginess during the next day.
However, worry not since picking the right mattress can make a huge difference! In this article, we will take you through everything you need to know about getting that perfect mattress for cool and comfortable sleeping throughout.
From comprehending different forms of mattresses, such as cooling technologies, among others, we have got your back. So let us jump into it and help find the way to an improved, cooler, more relaxed slumber!
Understanding the Needs of Hot Sleepers
It is not just you who wakes up sweaty or suddenly in the middle of the night. There are some common difficulties facing hot sleepers which seriously affect their quality of sleep.
Night Sweats
They are not just some light perspiration but heavy sweating, which can leave your sheets soaked and keep you awake. This can be really infuriating as it means waking up, drying off and at times changing beddings.
Different factors like the temperature of the room where you sleep, what you wear to bed or even the kind of mattress you have may lead to night sweats. These traditional mattresses, especially those made from dense materials such as memory foam, could cause heat retention, thereby worsening night sweats.
Disrupted Sleep Cycles
Another big issue is when sleep cycles get disrupted. Overheating the body can disrupt normal sleep stages, specifically deep sleep stages, which are essential for feeling rested and rejuvenated.
If your body is constantly waking up just to get cool, then it isn’t getting the necessary rest that it requires in order to function properly. This can cause you to feel tired and groggy in the morning, affecting your mood, productivity levels and their overall health status.
Knowing these challenges will allow you to find a suitable mattress that will help you stay cool and give better sleep at night.
Key Features to Look For
These are some vital aspects you need to think about so as to stay dry and comfortable throughout the night.
Cooling Technologies
This is why many modern mattresses incorporate several cooling technologies aimed at solving heat retention. An example of this is gel-infused foams, which have small gel beads enclosed within the foam’s matrix that absorb and dissipate body heat.
Another innovative technology worth mentioning is phase change materials (PCMs). They work by absorbing, storing and releasing heat to maintain a constant temperature. Such mattresses with these technologies, according to a National Sleep Foundation study, greatly improve sleep quality in hot sleepers.
Still, some mattresses have covers made from breathable materials such as Tencel or bamboo, which increase air circulation and absorb moisture.
Airflow and Breathability
To control temperature effectively, a mattress should be designed in such a way that it can promote air flow across its surface. This is because, unlike traditional ones, open cell foam structures possess more pores which therefore enhance the easy flow of air through them.
Moreover, air can circulate through coil systems present in hybrid and innerspring mattresses due to the spaces between the coils that allow heat to escape. Experts have done research indicating that breathable mattresses preserve a cooler sleep surface.
Select a mattress with an emphasis on air circulation like one made with perforated foam or having special air channels incorporated into its design.
Moisture-Wicking Properties
Fabrics that have moisture-wicking properties help prevent perspiration from becoming trapped against your skin all night long. Among these are organic cotton and bamboo which are both breathable and soft.
This is also possible by using synthetic sportswear materials known for their ability to wick away moisture as mattress covers instead of natural fibers. According to Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, during night sweating dryness can be facilitated by using moisture wicking materials thereby reducing pain greatly.
All these materials pull water away from the skin thus aiding evaporation hastening rapid drying of your body.
Firmness Levels
The solidity of a mattress is also influential on how it retains heat. Mostly, harder mattresses offer less material that can trap heat than softer ones, which have thicker comfort layers.
Nonetheless, the appropriate firmness level also depends on your sleep preferences and position. Sleeper’s Health Journal carried out a study showing that striking the right balance between support and cooling is essential.
If you fancy a softer feeling, seek for beds with incorporated cooling technologies in order to reduce the chances of heat retention.
By considering these highlighted features herein, you will be able to pick a mattress that offers support and comfort as well as keeps you cool all night long.
Types of Mattresses and Their Cooling Properties
When choosing the right mattress for hot sleepers, it is important to note that various materials and designs affect temperature regulation in different ways.
Check out the following breakdown of different types of mattresses and how they keep you cool.
Innerspring Mattresses
Breathability is one of the most common features that are identified with innerspring mattresses since they have coils. This, together with great gaps present between the wires, enhances air circulation, ensuring proper heat dissipation compared to other high foam dense mattresses.
According to a study done by the Sleep Products Association, Innerspring mattresses tend to sleep cooler due to this type of airflow. Although there is often a foam or some material atop them for comfort reasons, it’s the springs themselves that cool customers.
However, you should keep in mind that the kind of comfort layer matters concerning cooling. To improve breathability, choose cotton and wool as your natural fibers for enhanced breathability.
Memory Foam Mattresses
Memory foam mattresses are famous for their support in the contour but not for their heat retention. For instance, heat can be trapped by traditional memory foam and this may make it uncomfortable for those who sleep hot.
Nevertheless, there have been developments in technology with respect to memory foams, such as the introduction of gel-infused memory foams and open-cell designs. According to research carried out by Sleep Foundation, these updated models of memory foam have cooling properties compared to ordinary memory foam.
For example, it incorporates gel beads within its structure that help during heat absorption and dissipation whereas open cell design promotes airflow throughout the mattress. However, even with these advancements, sleeping particularly hot people may find it better to avoid memory foam.
Latex Mattresses
For individuals that are easily hot, latex mattresses, particularly those made from natural latex can be a fantastic choice. Natural latex has an open-cell structure which naturally breathes and allows air to pass through it.
Also, the Journal of Sleep Research released research findings showing that latex mattresses have cooler sleep environments than memory foam mattresses. Additionally, they are hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites and moulds.
Nevertheless, one should go for natural rather than synthetic latex as the latter may not be breathable and could differ in its cooling effect.
Hybrid Mattresses
The best part about hybrid mattresses is that they have both the support of innerspring coils and the comfort of foam or latex layers. The combination may be effective in ensuring a good cooling system where the coils allow for air circulation. At the same time, the top layers can be made using cooling materials such as gel-infused foam or breathable latex.
Based on research by the Sleep Council, hybrid mattresses tend to maintain cooler temperatures compared to their counterparts. Hot sleepers need to choose hybrids that do not have thick foam layers since thick foams may hold more heat.
To get the most out of it, go for the Snow Slumber hybrid mattress, which focuses on their cooling technology.
Bonus: Additional Tips for Hot Sleepers
Besides getting a proper mattress there are few more strategic moves to beat hot sleeping all night long. Here are some tips that you can try
Mattress Protectors and Cooling Toppers
Using a mattress cover or even a cooling topper helps in regulating temperature. For instance, when purchasing protectors for your bedsheets, choose those made from materials like cotton or bamboo, which allow for breathability and therefore reduce sweating during sleep.
The other option here is cooling toppers which usually come with gel-infused memory foam or latex. According to Consumer Reports, sleeping on such mattresses can have an immediate effect especially for people who are easily affected by heat and so they sweat at night.
This means that you should buy a topper that will not affect the support provided by your mattress in any way.
Choosing Breathable Bed Sheets and Pillows
Your bedding determines how hot or cold you will be while sleeping. Choose bed sheets made of natural breathable fabrics such as cotton, linen or bamboo. This type of fabric is known for its ability to wick moisture away from the body and its breathability thus keeping users cool during the summer period.
On the other hand, according to this study published in Journal of Textile Science & Engineering, different types of fibres react differently when it comes to regulating body temperatures with natural fibers working better than synthetic ones do.
Furthermore, get pillows that have cooling properties such as shredded memory foam or latex filled options which facilitate airflow compared to regular foam options.
Maintaining a Cool Sleep Environment
It can really be a game changer for hot sleepers to have a cooler sleeping environment. Below are some useful tips:
- Fans and Air Conditioners: Use a fan to move air around or an air-conditioning system that will keep your room temperature cool. The National Sleep Foundation suggests that the range of bedroom temperatures should be between 60-67°F (15-19°C).
- Light Sleeping Clothes: Put on lightweight PJs that breathe made from moisture-wicking fabrics like cotton and bamboo. Avoid heavy or synthetic ones as they trap heat.
- Fluids Intake: Drink water all day long, and take a glass before getting into bed. Dehydration makes overheating worse.
- Cooling Devices: Besides, you can also consider acquiring cooling devices including bed fans, cooling pads or even small bedside air purifiers. These will not only reduce the room temperature but also improve the quality of air around them.
By throwing these extra nuggets of advice into his/her normal sleep routine one can ensure maximum coziness and make her nights more relaxed by having cooler places for herself to sleep on.
Conclusion - Visit Snow Slumber!
In order to find the best mattress for hot sleepers, different aspects like cooling technologies, airflow are important. Once you have perfectly understood what you want, and emphasizes on these key features, will lead to a great improvement in your sleeping experience.
Always combine suitable breathable beddings with your mattress as well as observe conditions conducive to cool sleep. Ready for cooler and more comfortable sleep? Explore our range of pillows and mattresses at Snow Slumber that offer a sound night’s sleep.
