Sleeping Comfortably in the Summer

For those who suffer from insomnia, you know how hard falling asleep (and staying asleep!) can be. For those of you who don’t suffer from insomnia, getting a good night’s rest can still be difficult – especially on nights as hot as the ones we’ve been experiencing in Vancouver lately. So what do you do if you’re finding it too uncomfortable to get that desperately needed shut-eye? Check out some helpful tips and tricks below.

Air Conditioning

If you’re looking for a quick cool-down, crank up the A/C. Of course this is the obvious answer, but unfortunately not everyone has (or can afford) an air conditioning unit; while others who do have air conditioning may find it aggravates their sinuses, therefore avoiding use of them all together for that reason. A/C can also aggravate other pre-existing medical conditions, such as low blood pressure, arthritis, and neuritis, as well as cause dry skin, and may even cause breathing problems. If you suffer from any of these conditions, then air conditioning is something you should avoid and you should instead use fans.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera has many great uses. In fact, you can even buy aloe vera juice to drink at the grocery store. What you might not know about aloe vera gel, however, is that is has great cooling effects. Applying a small amount of aloe vera gel onto the skin before going to bed at night can help cool you down, and will feel soothing to the skin as well. (Tip: It’s also good to use on sun burns and minor bug bites (such as mosquito bites.)

Ice

Applying ice isn’t just to relieve pain and swelling due to injury. It can also help you get a better night’s rest, especially if applied to certain pulse points, such as behind the knees, ankles, groin, elbows, wrists and neck.

Cold Showers

Sometimes the best way to cool down quickly is by hopping in a cold shower. This will not only rinse off the sweat, but showering in cooler water will also help to bring down your core body temperature and leave you feeling much more comfortable and less restless before you go to sleep.

Turn off the Lights

Turning off lights isn’t just about saving on the electricity bill. Certain lighting can also give off quite a bit of heat. Because it stays lighter out longer during the summer, you should try to take advantage of the natural light from outside as much as possible, and only turn on your indoor lights when it is absolutely, 100% necessary. Additionally, certain electronics, like television, can also give off heat, so keep them off whenever they’re not being watched.