Summer is a season many of us look forward to—longer days, more time outdoors, and plenty of sunshine. But when it comes to sleep, warmer weather can present a few challenges.

If you've been waking up feeling hot, tossing and turning more than usual, or struggling to fall asleep at your normal bedtime, summer conditions may be playing a larger role than you realize.

Why Is It Harder to Sleep in Summer?

Heat Can Disrupt Your Natural Sleep Cycle
Your body is designed to cool down as it prepares for sleep. In the evening, your core body temperature naturally drops, signaling that it's time to rest.

When your bedroom is too warm, that process becomes more difficult. As a result, you may find it harder to fall asleep, wake up more frequently during the night, or spend less time in the deeper stages of sleep that help your body recover and recharge.

More Evening Light Impacts Your Sleep-Wake Cycle
Summer's extended daylight hours can also affect your sleep schedule.

Exposure to natural light later in the evening can delay the production of melatonin, the hormone that helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle. This can leave you feeling less sleepy at bedtime, even if you're tired.

Humidity Can Make Warm Nights Feel Even Hotter
High humidity limits your body's ability to cool itself through evaporation. When moisture can't evaporate efficiently from your skin, you may feel warmer and more uncomfortable throughout the night.

For many sleepers, humidity contributes to overheating, night sweats, and restless sleep.

5 Ways to Sleep Better During Hot Summer Nights

1. Keep Your Bedroom Cool
One of the most effective summer sleep tips is maintaining a cooler sleep environment.

Most sleep experts recommend keeping your bedroom between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal sleep. If lowering the thermostat isn't practical, ceiling fans, portable fans, blackout curtains, and keeping blinds closed during the day can all help reduce heat buildup.

2. Choose Breathable Bedding
Your sheets, pillows, and mattress protector can have a significant impact on how warm you feel at night.

Heavy fabrics often trap heat and moisture, while breathable materials promote airflow and help create a cooler sleep environment.

Look for lightweight bedding designed to enhance airflow and reduce heat retention, especially during the warmer months.

SHOP BREATHABLE BEDDING >

3. Upgrade to a Cooling Mattress
Your mattress plays a bigger role in temperature regulation than many people realize.

Some traditional mattresses can retain body heat, making it difficult for hot sleepers to stay comfortable throughout the night. Newer cooling mattresses are designed with breathable materials, cooling covers, and airflow-enhancing constructions that help dissipate heat more effectively.

Hybrid mattresses are often a popular choice because their coil systems allow air to circulate more freely than many all-foam designs.

Natural materials can also help support a cooler sleep experience. Talalay latex, wool, and cotton are known for their breathability and ability to promote airflow while helping maintain a more balanced sleep environment.

SHOP COOLING MATTRESSES >

4. Reduce Light Exposure Before Bed
Long summer evenings can make it tempting to stay up later, but excess light exposure may interfere with your body's natural sleep signals.

Try dimming lights throughout your home during the hour before bedtime and limiting screen use when possible. Blackout curtains can also help create a darker sleep environment that encourages melatonin production and supports more consistent sleep.

5. Stay Hydrated Throughout the Day
Hydration plays an important role in overall sleep quality.

When temperatures rise, your body loses more fluids through perspiration. Drinking water consistently throughout the day can help support healthy sleep and overall comfort.

Try to focus on hydration earlier in the day and avoid drinking large amounts of fluids immediately before bedtime.

What Is the Best Mattress for Hot Sleepers?

If you regularly wake up feeling hot or find yourself constantly searching for the cool side of the bed, your mattress may be contributing to the problem.

The best mattress for hot sleepers is typically one that promotes airflow, minimizes heat retention, and helps maintain a more comfortable sleep surface throughout the night.

Features that many hot sleepers look for include:

• Breathable hybrid construction

• Cooling covers and fabrics

• Talalay latex comfort layers

• Moisture-managing natural fibers

• Enhanced airflow throughout the mattress

At City Mattress, many hot sleepers gravitate toward cooling hybrid mattresses and mattresses made with naturally breathable materials such as Talalay latex, New Zealand wool, and cotton because they help create a cooler, more comfortable sleep environment.

Best Cooling Sleep Products for Summer

Cooling Pillows

Cooling pillows are designed to help dissipate heat around the head and neck, where many sleepers tend to feel warmest.

Breathable Bedding

Lightweight sheets, moisture-wicking fabrics, and breathable mattress protectors can help improve airflow and reduce heat retention.

Adjustable Bases

For some sleepers, elevating the head or feet slightly can help improve comfort and create a more personalized sleep experience during warm weather.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I sleep worse in summer?

Warmer temperatures, increased humidity, and longer daylight hours can all affect your body's natural sleep cycle, making it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep.

What temperature is best for sleeping?

Most sleep experts recommend a bedroom temperature between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal sleep comfort.

What is the best mattress for hot sleepers?

Many hot sleepers prefer cooling hybrid mattresses or mattresses made with breathable materials such as Talalay latex because they promote airflow and help dissipate heat.

Do cooling pillows really work?

Cooling pillows can help reduce heat buildup around the head and neck, helping many sleepers feel more comfortable throughout the night.

What bedding is best for summer?

Lightweight, breathable bedding that promotes airflow and helps manage moisture is generally best for warmer weather.

Sleep Cooler This Summer

Getting better sleep during the summer doesn't have to mean cranking the air conditioning or relying on temporary fixes.

By creating a cooler sleep environment, choosing breathable materials, and investing in sleep products designed to help regulate temperature, you can enjoy more comfortable, restorative sleep all season long.

For more than 60 years, City Mattress has helped customers find sleep solutions tailored to their comfort preferences, sleep style, and temperature needs. Visit your local City Mattress showroom and connect with one of our Experts to explore cooling mattresses, pillows, bedding, and sleep accessories designed to help you sleep cooler this summer.

VISIT A STORE NEAR YOU >