Heatwave sleep hacks every Brit needs

Britain’s latest heatwave may finally be easing — but sleep experts are warning people not to get too comfortable, with more hot weather likely still to come this summer.

After days of sticky nights, overheated bedrooms and restless sleep, many people across the UK will already know how difficult it can be to properly switch off during high temperatures.

And while the temperatures may be cooling slightly for now, experts say now is the perfect time to prepare for the next spell of hot weather before another round of sleepless nights arrives.

Dr Deborah Lee, sleep expert from Doctor Fox working with Comfybedss, has shared five unusual but effective tricks which could help people sleep better during warm weather — without relying on expensive air conditioning or noisy fans.

One of the more surprising recommendations involves wearing slightly damp cotton socks to bed.

Dr Lee says cooling the feet can help lower overall body temperature through evaporative cooling, helping the body settle more naturally into sleep.

Another old-school method dates back to ancient Egypt and involves hanging a cool damp towel near a doorway or open window to help cool warm air entering the room.

She also recommends swapping hot water bottles for frozen ones by filling them with cold water and placing them in the freezer for a short period before bedtime to cool sheets down before getting into bed.

Meanwhile, keeping curtains, blinds and windows closed during the hottest parts of the day can help trap cooler air indoors and stop bedrooms turning into heat traps by the evening.

And despite what many people think, Dr Lee warns against taking freezing cold showers immediately before bed.

Instead, she recommends a lukewarm shower around 90 minutes before sleeping, helping the body gradually cool down naturally.

Dr Lee said our bodies need their core temperature to drop in order to properly drift off, which is why hot nights can leave people lying awake long after midnight.

As Britain continues to experience increasingly warm summers, experts say managing sleep during heatwaves is becoming an important part of protecting both physical and mental wellbeing.

And after the past few sleepless nights, plenty of exhausted Brits may be willing to try almost anything once the next heatwave arrives.