Nobody likes ice-cold feet in bed.
Least of all, during your sleep.
But the winter months are upon us and it’s time to take extra measures to ensure a good night’s sleep by staying toasty warm in bed!
Here are Lea Mattress’ top five tips on how to stay warm in bed in the winter temperatures.
Did you know our bodies act as natural radiators? This means that with enough layers we can trap our body heat in, making our bed a cosy cocoon of insulation. Warm, extra blankets, work well in keeping the body heat locked in but are easy to peel off if you get too hot.
Try going for thinner comforters and blankets and layering them. Wool and cotton fleece are the best materials for warmth, whereas synthetic fibres do not trap the air as well.
Down and/or feathers are the warmest fillings for duvets. Wool works like a charm too, as it traps air while remaining breathable. You could also consider using a thicker winter duvet (13.5-15 tog) or layering two lighter duvets together. And don’t forget about bedsheets – their material matters too!
If you’re on the market for a new mattress, memory foam is known for retaining heat, helping you stay warm in the winter. However, our memory foam mattresses also come with a KGEL layer that reduces heat build-up, making it a brilliant choice all year round.
Lockdown may have made pyjamas the nation’s new work uniform, but their true purpose is still to help us sleep comfortably and warm! Choose long-sleeved pyjamas, especially if your sleeping style makes your limbs escape the covers (see our post about sleeping positions and what it says about you).
As for the best materials, flannel is winter pyjama gold for a reason. Its fluffy surface (flannel is brushed cotton) makes it a better insulator. If you’re a real Jack Frost in bed, invest in thermal sleepwear. Merino wool thermal pyjamas are ideal as it keeps you warm but also cools you down if you get too hot. Now is also time to dig up those thick bed socks! And ask Santa for some more…
Take a critical look around your sleeping space. Are there any draughts to block by doors or windows? Is there furniture in front of (or clothes drying on top of) the radiator to block or suck up the heat? Closing your bedroom door and only heating the rooms where someone sleeps can help keep everyone sleeping warm while saving some pennies on the heating bill.
It’s good to bear in mind though, that heating your room too much could affect the quality of your sleep. Everyone has their preferred temperature, but sleep experts recommend a bedroom temperature between 15.5 - 19.5 degree Celsius.
Let’s face it, no one likes climbing into a cold bed. Covers help in trapping the heat but inevitably it takes time for the bedsheets to heat up first. How about enlisting the help of a hot water bottle or an electric blanket?
If you don’t like sleeping with one all night long, place a hot water bottle in bed before your bedtime to thaw the sheets or plug in an electric blanket to pre-warm it for you. Of course, you can buddy up with a hot water bottle all night long too – sometimes the old ways are the best ways!
Have a great, warm night’s sleep and stay safe in the cold!
