Many are familiar with the discomfort of sleeping hot and stuffy, an experience that can easily disrupt much-needed rest, especially when night sweats lead to tossing and turning. Often, we brush off such disrupted sleep as just "a bad night," resigning ourselves to the notion that our sleep isn't up to par.

However, considering that we spend about a third of our lives asleep, the importance of quality rest cannot be overstated. During sleep, our bodies naturally undergo restoration, while our brains refresh, crucial processes for maintaining a healthy immune system and sustaining productivity while awake.

Given this, how significant is it to find the optimal sleeping temperature, and what materials make for the best bed sheets to keep cool?

How Temperature Affects Sleep

Research conducted by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health revealed that the temperature of the sleep environment significantly influences sleep satisfaction, tranquility, and the ease of falling asleep. Specifically, it indicated that elevated bedroom temperatures often correlate with a greater likelihood of sleep disturbances and a general decline in sleep quality.

This occurs because hotter temperatures prompt increased production of stress hormones, namely cortisol. Moreover, sleeping in warm conditions can reduce the duration of REM sleep, thereby impairing the body's immune functions and diminishing memory and learning capabilities.

Additionally, higher temperatures pose challenges to falling asleep due to our innate "body clock," known as the circadian rhythm, which regulates our sleep-wake cycles. This rhythm is influenced by factors like light exposure, ambient temperature, and physical activity levels. In warmer conditions, the body tends to remain more alert, making it difficult to drift off to sleep when feeling overheated.

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Our sheets are made with the finest and softest materials to guarantee a comfortable and cozy sleep. But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice coolness for comfort. Our cooling bed sheet materials will keep you feeling fresh and relaxed all night long.

What Is The Ideal Temperature For Sleep?

The ideal sleep temperature for everyone is different, there is no ‘perfect sleeping temperature’ however the National Sleep Foundation suggests that the optimum sleeping temperature is anywhere between 18°C to 26°C. A temperature range as mentioned earlier hardly occurs naturally in United State’s climate at night especially in the summer months.

The most common solution would be to use air conditioning to cool your room down and while that works just fine, it could incur cost as well as damage the environment with frequent use. Furthermore, a downside to sleeping in an air conditioned room would be that you most likely won’t be getting any natural air ventilation while you’re sleeping which could also negatively affect your sleep quality.

The Cost-Effective Alternative: Bed sheets That Stay Cool

Instead of relying on your air conditioner or fan to lower the temperature in your room, consider using cooling bed linens as an alternative to regulate your sleeping environment. Investing in cooling bed sheets not only enhances your sleep quality and saves you money in the long term but also contributes to eco-friendliness.

Furthermore, keeping your bedrooms well-ventilated by opening windows can reduce or eliminate the need for air conditioning altogether.

What Properties Make A Cooling Bed Sheet?

There are a number of factors that determine how cool your sheets will feel, namely; type of material, breathability, moisture absorbency, weave type, and thread count.

1. Moisture-Wicking Abilities

The moisture-wicking capability of a sheet plays a crucial role in keeping you feeling cool and sweat-free throughout the night. This feature is essential in temperature-regulating sheets, as it effectively removes excess moisture, thereby helping to reduce your body temperature.

2. Breathability

While cool wicking sheets excel in managing moisture due to their absorbent properties, they may not always be adequately breathable. This lack of breathability can exacerbate night sweats because our bodies rely on sweating to regulate temperature. With less breathable sheets, this natural cooling mechanism becomes less effective.

3. Type of Weave

The weave technique used in sheets not only influences their appearance but also affects how cooling they feel against the skin. For example, sateen and percale cotton sheets offer distinct tactile experiences due to their differing weave methods.

4. Thread Count

Thread count significantly influences the cooling properties of your sheets, as higher thread count sheets tend to trap heat. The National Sleep Foundation advises opting for bed sheets with a thread count ranging from 200 to 400, depending on the type of cotton used. However, it's important to note that thread count isn't the sole indicator of sheet quality. Some manufacturers inflate thread count by employing multi-ply and lower-quality threads.

5. Bed Sheet Material

With all other factors considered, the ultimate determinant is the material of the sheets. Your choice of sheets will depend on your preferences, but there are several popular options for cooling sheet fabrics. Three of the most popular cooling materials are cotton, bamboo, and TENCEL fibers.

Best Cooling Bed Sheet Materials To Stay Cool At Night