How does the cold affect sleep?
With the snow still lying on the ground and the freezing temperatures set to continue it’s no wonder we’re all retreating to our bedrooms to snuggle up and keep warm. Research* has shown that, similar to animals, humans have their own kind of hibernation during the winter months with adults five times more likely to spend more time in bed during the winter months than summer.
If we get too cold at night, we get restless, our sleep patterns are interrupted and we lose out on our sleep. Essential to our health and well-being, sleep plays a significant role in brain development. After just one night without sleep our concentration levels lessen considerably. For a restful night’s sleep our core temperature should only be half a degree less than during the day. So what can we do to make sure we stay warm at night without overheating?
The Sleep Council has produced this really useful guide on keeping warm. Their simple and easy tips will ensure you avoid the chill at night but don’t overheat either.
Top tips on keeping warm
- Wear night clothes such as pyjamas or a large T-shirt to keep you warm. Natural fibres such as wool, cotton or silk will keep you warmer than synthetic materials.
- Have a warm bath just before you go to bed. This will gently warm and relax you to help you feel sleepy.
- Have a warming, milky drink.
- Try to take some exercise which will get the circulation going to help keep the body warm – but don’t do vigorous exercise too close to bed time as you may feel too invigorated to sleep.
- Keep the bedroom warm, but not too hot, and free from draughts.
- Look for a mattress which has a “warm” side for use during the winter. A soft sleeping surface is a better insulator than a flat one. Use a fleecy underblanket to retain the heat.
- Choose a duvet with a high tog rating or use several layers of bedding rather than one single layer. Layers will trap warm air and are easily removed if you get too hot.
- A hot water bottle is an ideal way to keep warm once in bed. Make sure it has a cover on it to avoid scalding and also so that it won’t feel cold in the middle of the night.
- Electric blankets are ideal. Underblankets will warm the bed up before you retire for the night, while overblankets maintain a constant temperature throughout the night.
Choosing the right duvet
A duvet’s warmth is rated by its tog rating and can extend from a lightweight summer version of between 3.0 – 4.5 tog through to a warmer, cosier autumn or winter duvet with a tog rating of between 9 and 13.5. Seasonal duvets are increasingly popular as they can be quickly adjusted to the temperature dipping: this added flexibility is a hit with many in these cold winter months.
Maybe you or your partner struggle to keep warm with one or other taking control of the duvet – a duvet one size up may be the ideal solution to keeping you both cosy. The Bedroom Couture White Goose Feather & Down 5′ Duvet is a great choice. With its 85% White Goose Feather and 15% White Goose Down filling, this Luxurious Duvet provides Even Distribution for all over Warmth and Comfort.
For those that need an anti-allergy duvet, try the Bedroom Couture Microfibre 5′ Duvet. With its Microfibre Fabric Cover providing a Super Soft Feel and Superior Drape, this Ultrafine Spiral Hollow Fibre filled Duvet is available in a 13.5 Tog and is Non-Allergenic and Machine Washable for added convenience.
What to do next?
At Armagh Beds.com we retail an extensive collection of duvets in a range of sizes including Single Duvets, Double Duvets and King Size Duvets. With more than 55 years of bedding expertise you can count on Dalzell’s to deliver! Located in Markethill on the main A28, just 45 miles from Belfast, we’re just a short drive away from Portadown and Lisburn. Of course you can always place your order online, over the phone on 028 3755 1260 or even by Email. However you decide to shop with us you can be assured of Expert Advice, A Great Deal and Free Delivery of your Bedding, Bed or Mattress throughout N. Ireland and Counties Monaghan, Louth and Dublin City, with highly competitive rates available across the rest of the UK and Ireland.
*From the HiberNation survey of 1,000 adults, undertaken by the Better Sleep Council of America, published in autumn 1998.
