As winter gets hold, here’s our advice on how to stay warm in bed during the long, cold nights – there’s nothing better than curling up for a great sleep in a warm, cosy bed.
Our bedroom environment as well as our beds and bedding all play a part in keeping us insulated in the cold night air. Temperatures are usually at their lowest in the early hours of the morning and for many people the reality of being too cold can impact on sleep – so having the right mattress which is warm, comfortable and supportive is key.
There’s a huge choice of different bed types and mattress fillings which can help to regulate temperature and keep you warm. But it’s important to remember that mattresses themselves don’t create the heat and people can get hot or cold on beds of all constructions.
Memory foam, for example, is a good insulator and has a greater potential for heat retention compared to springs. However, manufacturers are developing various solutions for climate control including the latest gel foam technology whereby the foam is impregnated with tiny gel beads that change from a solid to a liquid state to deliver a cooling effect.
In addition, the use of smart fabrics on the mattress sleeping surface help to regulate body temperature.
Silk, cashmere, mohair and other fine, natural fibres inside a mattress can also have additional insulation properties – keeping you warm and cosy in bed at night without the risk of overheating. And, flotation beds – better known as water beds – also have variable temperature heaters to keep the bed warm and cosy.
If buying a new bed isn’t on the agenda, electric blankets are ideal. Fleecy under-blankets will warm the bed up before you retire for the night and retain the heat, while over-blankets maintain a constant temperature throughout the night.
Remember that when buying a new bed, it’s important the product you buy is made by an Approved NBF Member – just look for the NBF Approved label.
Here’s more top tips from on how to keep warm in bed this winter;
• Keep the bedroom warm, but not too hot, and free from draughts.
• Avoid a saggy bed. It may be nice to cuddle up for warmth but it can be very uncomfortable and clammy when you are thrown together by a bed that isn’t giving you the correct support.
• Choose a duvet with a high tog rating or use several layers of bedding rather than one single layer. Layers trap warm air and are easily removed if you get too hot.
• A hot water bottle is an ideal way to keep warm once in bed. Make sure it has a cover on it to avoid scalding and also so that it won’t feel cold in the middle of the night. Microwavable ‘wheat bags’ are also becoming a popular alternative to hot water bottles.
• Have a bath before bed to warm you up, and make a hot, milky drink to sip on before drifting off.
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