Why Do I Sweat In My Sleep?

Are flannel sheets an absolute no-go for you? Do comforters leave you uncomfortable? Does waking up with that sticky feeling on the back of your neck feel inevitable? You may be a hot sleeper, which is a common issue that stands between many people and a decent night's sleep. We'll take a look at the causes of sleeping hot, and the reasons a cooling mattress might be the perfect solution.

What Causes Sweating While Sleeping?

As you drift off into sleep, your core body temperature drops slightly. By the time you've hit your deepest sleep, your temperature is usually a degree or two lower than it is while you're awake. Losing that heat helps you stay asleep, but that excess warmth needs to fully dissipate in order for your body to maintain that lower temperature. If that body heat becomes trapped - whether it's due to too many blankets, a heavy mattress, or a thick pillow - your body may not be able to reach the lower temperature it needs in order to stay in that deep sleep. Hot sleep can sometimes be caused by exercising or eating too close to bedtime, which ramps up your body's metabolism and and makes it harder to cool down. It's also important to note that it may be caused by an underlying medical problem. However, many people can solve their hot sleeping problems by simply creating a bedtime environment that allows them to stay cooler. Thinner blankets, airier sheet sets, or running a fan can help. Another solution is investing in a cooling mattress.

What Does a Cooling Mattress Do?

Today's mattresses offer a variety of technologies to help solve sleep issues, and temperature is no exception. There are several mattress styles designed to comfortably pull away body heat to help you fall asleep and stay asleep. Some mattresses are made with a cool-to-the-touch top layer, allowing you to immediately feel cooler the moment you get into bed. Other mattresses feature a gel-infused cooling memory foam to give you the support and comfort of a memory foam mattress without the clammy, stuck-in-the-mud feeling that other foam mattresses can give. Copper-infused mattresses are another option; since copper has high thermal conductivity, a copper mattress essentially acts like a heat sponge and steadily draws heat away from your body as you sleep.

What's the Best Cooling Mattress?

It really depends on your personal sleeping preference. Are you generally a fan of firm mattresses, or do you like a softer feel? Do you want a memory foam, innerspring, or hybrid mattress? Do you need a full, king, or queen mattress? With the great variety of cooling mattresses available from all of today's most trusted mattress brands, you're sure to find the perfect one to help you maintain the right temperature for a good night's sleep. Best of luck in your search, and stay cool!