What is the ideal sleep temperature?

AccuWeather

Experts weigh in on the ideal temperature to promote a better night's sleep.

Transcript

00:00 (upbeat music)

00:02 When it comes to sleeping conditions,

00:06 some like it hot, others prefer cooler and even cold.

00:10 But the debate isn't just a relationship disagreement.

00:13 Sleep psychologist, Dr. Michelle Dreerup says,

00:16 room temperature can disrupt sleep,

00:18 which can affect health and cognitive functioning.

00:20 - For most people, the ideal range

00:23 is having the thermostat set between 60 to 67 degrees

00:28 Fahrenheit for the most comfortable sleep.

00:30 - People vary within that range,

00:32 so it's important to figure out what your body prefers.

00:34 Sleeping too hot or too cold can affect a good night's rest.

00:38 - So 65 is kind of, you know,

00:40 kind of the number that's given.

00:42 Really anything over 70 is too toasty and hot.

00:47 - Think of your bedroom as your cave.

00:49 It should be cool, dark, and quiet.

00:51 - The temperature, I think people tend to have

00:55 more difficulties with the heat,

00:56 and maybe it's because that they're not able

00:58 to self-regulate that temperature as much.

01:02 - Thermoregulation is important for staying

01:04 in the restorative slow-wave sleep stage.

01:07 - Our brain activity is very slow during that time.

01:10 That's where a lot of physical restoration is occurring.

01:14 - If your bedroom is above 70 degrees Fahrenheit,

01:16 it's too hot.

01:17 - Higher temperatures or warmer temperatures

01:20 can cause decreased slow-wave sleep

01:23 and poor quality sleep.

01:26 - While sleeping too cold may not affect

01:28 sleep cycles as much,

01:29 it can cause your body to kick into high gear to get warm

01:33 if your bedroom temperature is lower

01:34 than 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

01:36 It's too cold.

01:37 Dr. Drew up advises couples who disagree over temperature

01:40 to keep the room on the cooler side

01:42 and have extra blankets handy.

01:44 - I can take off a layer, right?

01:46 And then it can be, you know, if I have a bed partner,

01:49 even if the house is too cold for me,

01:51 I can put on another layer of a blanket

01:55 or comforter to stay warm.

01:57 - Keeping a fan in your room is a quick way to cool down

02:00 if warm.

02:01 Avoid drinking caffeine or foods high in sugar near bedtime.

02:05 They can increase your body temperature

02:07 and sleep for the season with the right pajamas,

02:09 bed sheets, and blankets.

02:11 For AccuWeather, I'm meteorologist Jeff Cornish.

02:13 [MUSIC]

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