A tropical night is a night in which the temperature does not fall below twenty degrees. Although that temperature will not be achieved tonightit can still feel sticky in bed and you may have difficulty sleeping. According to sleep expert Talja Lambert, this is because our body temperature remains too high.
With these tips you can still fall asleep:
1. Make sure your house doesn’t heat up
Logically, of course. Yet there are tricks. “People with air conditioning are praised. But many people do not have it. Make sure you have good sun protection or close the shutters. It is important that you place the protection on the outside of your windows, because heat comes in through the glass. Closing the curtains helps a little, but not much. It is better to hang a sheet against the outside of your window.”
2. Ventilate
Even if you don’t have air conditioning, you can ventilate your house. “Only ventilate when it is colder outside than inside, otherwise it will only get warmer. Throw some PET bottles in the freezer and place them for ventilation. Not too far from your bed, but nice and close.”
3. Sleep elsewhere
If it is warmer in the bedroom than elsewhere in the house, it is wise to find another place to sleep. “Usually, the higher in the house, the warmer. If you sleep in the attic, sleep lower. It is warmer under a roof. If possible, you can also choose to sleep outside. On your balcony or in the garden.”
4. Keep a cool head
Literally, but also figuratively. “Take small sips of cold water, or eat an ice cream. But when you lie in bed tonight, it is especially important to stay calm. Don’t stress, this releases adrenaline and cortisol and then you won’t sleep at all.”
5. And that cold shower?
One advises against it, the other recommends it: a cold shower. “Taking a cold shower causes the blood vessels to contract. This makes it harder for heat to dissipate. Taking a hot shower actually opens the blood vessels. This allows your body to lose more heat. Yet I speak to people who benefit from a refreshing shower. That’s why I would say: ‘Do what works’. If it works, then it works.”
