15 ways TO SLEEP BETTER

Here’s how to get your 40 winks, whatever the weather

- DEBRA WATERS

Warm weather is wonderful, but hot nights can make falling – and staying – asleep difficult. We may also miss out on the quality, deep, refreshing slumber our bodies need. If you struggle to sleep well in the heat, these tips can help you get the rest you crave.

1 Take a lukewarm shower

To sleep, your body temperature needs to drop. ‘Cooling off in the shower should help you get to sleep faster,’ says Dr Lindsay Browning from And So To Bed. Don’t use cold water, though – it will wake you up.

2 Avoid naps

It’s tempting to get some daytime shut-eye, especially if you slept badly the night before, but it’s not always a good idea. Napping for too long or too late in the afternoon can make it harder to fall asleep at night, says sleep expert Dr Hana Patel from Time4Sleep. ‘Avoid napping after 3pm and sleeping for longer than 20 to 30 minutes.’

3 Chill your sheets

Place bed sheets in a plastic bag and pop them in the freezer for an hour. Put them back on the bed just before bedtime – the effect won’t last, but it should be enough to cool you down as you drop off.

4 Use natural bedding