Six ways to make it easier to sleep on hot, sweaty nights

Sleeping in summer is uncomfortable. Cooler temperatures can help you rest, but on a sweltering August night, you're more likely to toss and turn into a sleepless night and a sweaty mess. So when the temperatures soar, what can you do besides crank up the air conditioning—and your energy bill—all while increasing? Consider these ways to cool off.

1. Cool down your bed

You only need to cool your bed—not your entire house. That's why Men's Health sleep consultant W. Christopher

Winter, MD, uses the ChiliPad, a mattress pad that fills with water and keeps the temperature of your bed down to 55 degrees or even lower throughout the night. You can also use a gel pad like Cool

Gelmat and ChillGel These absorb your body heat. There is also a quicker solution, which is a cold pack wrapped in a towel.

2. Freeze your pillow

Cover your pillow in a plastic bag and place it in the refrigerator two hours before you go to bed. Because your head holds too much heat, lying on a cool pillow can help cool your heated mind. Or buy a PolarPillow, which comes with a cooling pack that you can either chill or insert into your pillow before bed.

3. Rinse thoroughly

On sweltering nights, taking a cold shower before bed can help you feel refreshed and relaxed — and it lowers your body temperature, which can improve your sleep quality, Dr. Winter says.

4. Drink water

Dehydration can disrupt your sleep, and you're more likely to feel hot and thirsty when you're sweating. Stay hydrated throughout the day, says Carol, director of sleep medicine at Meridian Health in New Jersey, USA.

Dr. Ash said. Stop guzzling a ton of water before bed or you'll be spending the night in the bathroom.

5. Use breathable bedding

Another trick is to sleep with the light on and breathable bedding, which is more likely to work when you feel hot. You can buy cooling mattresses and blankets, such as SHEEX, which are designed to absorb moisture and maintain ventilation. It's like Under Armour for your bed.

6. Wear a sports suit

You might think going nude is the best way to avoid overheating, but if you're still sweating through your sheets, wearing exercise clothes can help you sleep better, says Dr. Ash. Things like breathable bedding and fabrics that absorb moisture can solve the same problem while you sleep. Just make sure you're comfortable.