A bedroom is kind of like a cave; it provides a dark, quiet place to sleep and recharge at the end of a long day. Caves also stay cool, the way a bedroom should at night. While there’s no exact temperature that guarantees a good night’s sleep for everyone, keeping the thermostat somewhere between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit provides the ideal temperature to initiate and maintain sleep.
Understanding Thermoregulation 
The sleep-wake cycle depends on a process called thermoregulation, which for most people begins in the late afternoon. This is when the body starts cooling down for sleep. The goal of thermoregulation is to adjust the body’s core temperature to aid in falling asleep and staying asleep. A higher body temperature helps with the waking process, so body temperature rises near the waking hours to resume alertness.
Thermoregulation and Sleep Temperature
Based on the process of thermoregulation, a room temperature that is too hot can cause restlessness and disrupt the deep REM stage of sleep. However, being too cold can also become a problem. A bad night’s sleep makes for a miserable next day, so sleeping with the thermostat set to an extreme is not doing anyone any favors. It’s important to find a temperature that not only helps the body reach deep sleep at night, but also supports the body in transitioning to a state of alertness in the morning. For anyone who has ever struggled to get out of a warm, cozy bed in the morning (who hasn’t?), thermoregulation is part of the reason.
Determining the Ideal Temperature
So how can the ideal sleep temperature be determined? It’s mostly trial and error. Folks who keep their home at extreme temperatures should start somewhere near the warmer or cooler end of the 60 to 67 degree Fahrenheit range, respectively, and adjust accordingly. However, this is only in regard to the ambient air, and all those blankets increase body heat. Even if the surrounding air temperature is ideal, it’s only touching exposed body parts. Additionally, heat builds through the body just from contact with the mattress.
Because there is more at play than just air temperature, finding the ideal temperature can be tricky. Thankfully, there are now solutions on the market that help control body heat through the night. Popular options include latex mattresses that provide a cooler sleep surface and certain types of mattress toppers that help lower body temperature in the evening and raise it as morning approaches.
Start Sleeping Better Tonight
As you see, the right type of mattress and bedding can play a big role in keeping you cool at night. Buis Mattress offers bedding products including latex mattresses and mattress toppers designed to help your body reach an optimal temperature for sleep. Check out our unique products at our store locations, or call us at 616-396-6257 to learn more. And don’t forget to adjust the thermostat tonight!
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