Too hot to sleep? How to sleep in hot weather and keep your bedroom cool at night

The UK is readying itself for a sweltering heatwave with temperatures up to 34C set to hit just as school holidays kick off.

In the capital, temperatures could soar to 37C on Thursday before cooler weather returns at the weekend.

The heat only means one thing for us Brits - plenty of sticky, restless nights ahead to look forward to. Oh, the joys.

But it doesn't mean you have to put up with the discomfort and suffer. Here, we've compiled some top tips to help you cope with the heat and prep your way to a comfortable and cool night's sleep.

1. Sleep in cotton bedsheets

Save the silk sheets and furry throws for autumn. Cotton bed linens are light and breathable, meaning you can encourage airflow into your bedroom.

2. Unplug any appliances

The thought of not charging your phone at night might sound unbearable, but laptop and phone chargers, even when idle, can produce unwanted heat. Unplug your appliances before you go to bed to keep your room cool through the night.

3. Take a cool shower

A cool bath or shower before bed can lower your body temperature, making it easier to relax in a warm room. Avoid freezing showers, however, as these can be overly stimulating and wake you up.

4. Make your own breeze

Invest in a silent electric fan to add an extra breeze and make sure there is regular air flow in the room. If you put a bowl full of ice cold water or ice cubes in front of it, it will pick up the cold moisture as the ice melts and circulate it around the room.

5. Freeze your bedsheets

It might sound drastic, but putting your sheets and pillows into bags and popping them into the freezer half an hour before bedtime is one of the most satisfying warm weather rituals you can do. By the time you unpack them, they’ll feel gloriously cold.

6. Open the windows an hour before you go the bed

Providing you keep the curtains or blinds drawn to keep the sun off the windows, opening the windows will help to get the air circulating and let in some welcome breezes as the temperature starts to drop later in the evening.

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