You’ve probably noticed, but it’s harder to sleep when it’s too hot or cold. This can be explained scientifically, and there is even an ideal temperature that should guarantee better sleep.
The effects of sleep on our health and productivity
Many of us have been affected by the heat wave, which is finally over. Sleeping in the heat is very uncomfortable; we roll around in our sheets, sweat, and have trouble sleeping. As a result, we get tired, which can affect our productivity.
The same is true when it is too cold and part of our body is exposed. We still experience the same effects even though we do not sweat: disturbed sleep. Now, here’s the thing, as environmental health researcher Amir Baniassadi reminds us on the site Hebrew Senior Life:
Disrupted sleep can lead to memory impairment, an increased risk of falls, and a decreased ability to perform daily activities. It can also affect our mood and overall well-being. Therefore, it is essential to comprehend the factors influencing older adults’ sleep quality to make them healthier and happier.
Temperature and hypothalamus
No, it’s not just a feeling. You sleep better when a room is excellent (well, not too cool, as mentioned above). The website Tediber explains:
Spontaneously, our brain—more specifically, the hypothalamus—lowers our body temperature when we go to bed. It plays the role of a thermostat to promote falling asleep. A cool bedroom provides a sense of thermal well-being, enabling our bodies to initiate this process.
Researcher Amir Baniassadi had several participants in his study who slept in rooms with different temperatures and found the following:
Sleep quality was highest when the room temperature was between 20 and 23 °C and generally decreased when the temperature exceeded 23.8 °C.
Note, however, that this is an average value, and the ideal temperature can vary depending on the person. However, these figures are well above those of the French environmental agency ADEME, which recommends a temperature of 17 °C for a good night’s sleep. This temperature also allows for some energy savings when rising inflation affects our monthly budget.
- source: gentside.de/picture:
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