A simple sleep hack that requires no fan could help you stay cool and sleep better during hot summer nights. The trick involves placing a common household item beside your bed: frozen flannels or face cloths.
The Problem: Heat Disrupts Sleep
Warm weather has returned to the UK, and while it is not as intense as last week's heatwave, it still makes sleeping difficult. When sunshine streams into homes throughout the day, heat becomes trapped, making it hard to get a decent night's rest. There is nothing worse than lying awake for hours and waking up feeling unrested.
While fans and air conditioning units can help, there is a cheap and straightforward method to keep cool during the night that requires only one simple item you likely already have at home.
The Solution: Frozen Flannels
The useful trick was shared by Laura from running group Muddy Soles Club on TikTok during the heatwave back in May. The video has accumulated over 200,000 views, with numerous people commenting about how eager they are to try it.
Laura explained: "No fan, no aircon. Try this heatwave sleep hack." Because your body needs to lower its core temperature to fall asleep, warm weather can be a real nightmare when it comes to getting a good night's rest. When you are too hot, your brain is 'tricked' into remaining awake, leaving you less alert the next day.
How to Cool Down at Night
To help yourself cool down 'super fast' before drifting off, all you need to do is take a couple of flannels or face cloths, soak them in water, wring them out, and place them in the freezer roughly an hour before bedtime. Then, when you are ready to settle down for the night, retrieve them from the freezer and bring them to your bedroom.
Laura said: "Once frozen, keep them next to your bed overnight. And if you wake up roasting, lay them on the back of your neck or your stomach." She continued: "Trust me, it cools you down super fast and makes it so much easier to get back to sleep."
Viewer Reactions and Additional Tips
Commenters were quick to agree that the method worked a treat, with many others eager to try it themselves. One said: "Oh this is a good one." Another commented: "I'll be trying this tonight.. I can't sleep with the noise of the fan." A third wrote: "Must try this!"
Others chipped in with their own tips for staying cool during warm nights. One person wrote: "I've been putting the hot water bottle in the freezer then taking it to bed."
