Cold temperatures are amongst the various scenarios disrupting our sleep, new research has revealed.
Research by Roseland Furniture surveyed the UK public to discover which scenarios have recently kept people awake at night or impacted their sleep.
Reasons cited to have kept people awake at night, or impacted their sleep, in the last 12 months (ordered from highest percentage to lowest):
1. Illness or health condition symptom (34.3%)
2. Health-related worries (29.6%)
3. Temperature – too hot (28.0%)
4. Financial or money-related worries (27.9%)
5. Poor mental health (27.2%)
6. Work-related worries (22.1%)
7. External noise (16.3%)
8. Negative sentiment/unease) thinking about upcoming plans or event (15.5%)
9. Internal noise (14.3%)
10. Temperature – too cold (13.0%)
11. Positive sentiment/excitement thinking about upcoming plans or event (11.6%)
12. Grief (11.3%)
13. Relationship issues (10.8%)
14. Late-night creativity or inspiration (9.6%)
15. None of the above (9.3%)
16. Family-related routine or issues (7.4%)
17. Pet-related issues (7.1%)
18. Having sex (6.9%)
19. Environmental worries (6.0%)
20. Fear (5.7%)
21. Light pollution (5.4%)
22. Fright (3.4%)
With freezing temperatures and more snow forecast for later this month, millions are expected to suffer with their sleep at night… The survey revealed that cold temperatures impacts sleep for 13% of the UK (approx. 7 million** people). Looking at gender, women were most affected… 14.4% of females versus 11% of males. The 45-54 age group most affected by cold temperatures (15.7%), closely followed by 65+ (15.6%). Regionally, those based in the South West were most likely to have their sleep impacted by cold temperatures (21.4%), and at city-level, Bristol residents’ sleep was most impacted by cold temperatures (23.6%).
Tristan Lynch, CEO at Roseland Furniture, commented: “There’s nothing better than climbing into your bed at the end of a long day, or curling up in your duvet for a lie-in on a lazy weekend. That said, millions of us are struggling with disrupted sleep, or being kept awake at night due to various physical, emotional, or environmental factors.
Commenting on why we struggle to sleep in cold temperatures, Dr Paul Wallang (BSc, MBChB, MRCPsych, MBA, CMgr FCMI), Consultant Psychiatrist at Cardinal Clinic shared: “Cold temperatures can disrupt sleep for several reasons, two main ones being: Difficulty achieving thermal comfort: The body needs to maintain a stable core temperature to sleep well. If the room is too cold, this can lead to restlessness as your body struggles to warm up. Disrupted sleep cycles: Shivering or feeling cold can prevent you from entering deeper, restorative stages of sleep”.
Dr Hana Patel, UK GP at Superdrug Online Doctor added: “People often struggle to sleep in cold temperatures because the body needs to slightly lower its core temperature to achieve restful sleep. When the environment is too cold, the body diverts energy to maintaining warmth, which can lead to tension and restlessness. Cold air exposure, particularly to areas like the feet, hands, and face, can make it difficult to feel relaxed enough to fall asleep. This discomfort is especially pronounced in uninsulated spaces or during harsh winter months, exacerbating sleep disturbances”.
When it comes to advice on how to sleep better during cold temperatures, Dr Wallang suggested the following:
• Layer your bedding: Use breathable layers like cotton sheets, followed by a warm duvet or blanket. Opt for materials like flannel or fleece to create a cosy and comfortable environment.
• Wear comfortable sleepwear: Insulated but breathable sleepwear, such as thermal pyjamas or socks, helps maintain body warmth in Winter months.
• Warm up before bed: Take a warm bath or drink a hot, caffeine-free beverage like herbal tea to raise your body temperature slightly, this also aids relaxation.
• Set the ideal room temperature: Aim for a room temperature between 16-20°, as this is considered optimal for sleep.
• Keep hands and feet warm: Cold extremities can make you feel chilled overall. Heated blankets, socks, or a hot water bottle can make a big difference.
To improve sleep during cold weather, Dr Hana Patel, UK GP at Superdrug Online Doctor advises that “another unexpected tip is to consume a warm, calorie-rich drink before bed… This provides your body with extra energy to generate heat, helping you stay warm without overloading on layers. Combined with proper insulation and thermal sleepwear, these strategies can significantly enhance sleep quality in chilly conditions”.
Not sleeping properly can impact us in many ways… Dr Wallang shared: “Achieving adequate rest is an essential part of recovery, with poor sleep depleting energy levels and having a negative effect on your overall health. The reason for this is that adequate sleep removes tiredness and fatigue, repairs and removes harmful toxins and waste byproducts accumulated during the day and recharges your brain. Poor sleep can affect your memory recall, behavioural and body functions like metabolism working properly”.
Lynch added: “Creating the right bedroom environment is crucial for a good night’s sleep… a dark, quiet, and well-ventilated environment enhances sleep – comfort is also key and should be an important consideration when choosing your bed, mattress, and bedding. Choosing the best firmness for your mattress comes down to personal preference and your preferred sleeping position.
“A soft mattress is perfect for side sleepers, offering the least resistance, providing a gentle support base, contouring to your natural body shape. A medium mattress is great if you sleep on your side or front, offering a gentle support system, conforming to the shape of your body. Medium firm is ideal for back or front sleepers, as it provides essential support to maintain natural spinal alignment. A firm is great for back sleepers – the very firm base provides optimum support for your back”.
For more information, visit https://www.roselandfurniture.com/blogs/a-roseland-home/top-reasons-keeping-uk-awake-at-night
