The answer is YES, the temperature does affect your sleep.
Did you know that more than 1 in 3 Americans suffer from sleep deprivation? If you fall into that 33%, it could be affecting your health. While there are a lot of reasons why you could be missing out on those 7-8 hours each night, one of the most common reasons is your bedroom’s temperature.
The temperature of your sleep environment is just as important as your mattress firmness, type of pillow, or even comfort of your sheets.
The effects of sleep deprivation may include:
- Weight gain leading to obesity
- Higher risk of heart disease
- Mood changes
- Altered ability to make sound judgments
- Higher risk of diabetes
- Difficulties to learning and retaining information
- Weakened immune system
- Mistakes at work
- Motor vehicle accidents as a result of drowsy driving
- Higher risk of mortality
Your body has an internal thermostat and if it’s too hot or too cold in your bedroom, your body can struggle to reach it’s set point. A room that’s too hot can cause restlessness and tossing and turning, a room that’s too cold can cause you to curl up causing muscle fatigue and not letting your body relax.
What’s the ideal temperature? The National Sleep Foundation says between 60 and 67 degrees for quality sleep. Here’s how you can maintain an optimal bedroom temperature:
- Set your thermostat between 60 and 67 at night – whichever is the most comfortable for you. You may have to adjust it until you find the temperature that gives you the best sleep.
- Check your thermostat’s calibration – this is something that should be done annually. Place a thermometer next to your thermostat, if they vary by more than 3 degrees, you might need to have your thermostat checked or replaced.
- Clean your thermostat – remove the cover and carefully brush off any dirt and dust with a cotton swab or cloth. Remove any corrosion if visible.
- Look into a Smart Thermostat – these can adjust the temperature automatically at night for you, so you don’t need to manually adjust.
- Get your HVAC inspected – regular inspections ensure that your system is working correctly and producing the right amount of hot or cool air to help you sleep at night.
We know how important sleep can be to make sure you’re productive throughout the day. If you’ve tried all the tips above and are still having issues adjusting your HVAC to the right temperature, give us a call, we’re happy to take a look at it. Here’s to a good night’s sleep!
