Warm nights can make it difficult to drift off and stay asleep. While air conditioning isn’t always an option, there are plenty of ways to stay cool in bed – from choosing breathable bedding to selecting the right mattress.
At Sealy New Zealand, we’ve put together this guide to help you manage your sleep environment and body temperature, so you can keep cool and enjoy a more refreshing night’s rest.
Why you might feel hot at night
It’s not just the summer climate that can cause overheating in bed. Several factors may also contribute to an overly warm environment and prevent you from keeping cool at night.
Health and Lifestyle
Certain medical conditions, hormone changes or medications can trigger sweating and hot flashes. Food and drink choices also play a role, as alcohol and spicy meals can raise body temperature. In addition, heavy or non-breathable sleepwear can trap heat, and even sharing your bed with pets can add extra warmth.
Bedding and Pillows
Your bedsheets, duvets and pillows can significantly affect how warm you feel at night. Synthetic fibres tend to trap heat, while natural fibres such as cotton, bamboo, linen and silk are more breathable. Although high thread count sheets feel luxurious, they often retain more warmth. Foam toppers and synthetic underlays can also insulate heat, so switching to breathable options like wool can help. Additionally, pillows made with moisture-wicking fabrics such as Tencel support better temperature regulation.
Mattress Choice
Mattresses can also influence how warm you are at night. Plush mattresses tend to cradle the body more closely, which can increase heat retention, while firmer mattresses allow better airflow around the body, creating a naturally cooler sleep environment. If you’re unsure which comfort level is right for you, our Sealy Bed Selector provides personalised recommendations.
Cooling mattress innovations from Sealy Posturepedic
If warm nights make sleep challenging, a temperature-regulating mattress may bring the comfort you need. Sealy New Zealand offers advanced technology features to help regulate your temperature in bed.
Crown Jewel: Ventilation channels in the mattress border promote airflow, along with premium fabrics to help regulate temperature. View the range.
Exquisite Collection: Engineered to help regulate your sleep climate through premium fabrics and balanced comfort layers. View the range.
SmarTex® Technology: Exclusive to Sealy Posturepedic, this fabric draws away moisture and helps regulate temperature.
Many Sealy Posturepedic mattresses also feature natural fibres and gel-infused foams, offering breathable, cooler comfort layer combinations.
Tips to stay cool while you sleep
Research suggests the ideal sleep temperature is around 18°C, but maintaining this year-round isn’t always realistic. Here are practical ways to cool down without relying on air conditioning.
Adjust Your Environment
- Manage light and airflow – Keep curtains closed during the day, then open windows in the evening to let cooler air in
- Skip the oven at night – Evening cooking can add heat indoors; opt for lighter meals or head outdoors for a summer BBQ
- Limit lighting before bed – Lights generate heat, so use lamps instead of overhead lights to reduce warmth
Prepare Your Bed
- Choose breathable sheets – Switch to cotton, bamboo or linen. It is best to avoid polyester and flannelette
- Use fans strategically – Ceiling fans should run counter-clockwise in summer, position box fans to push hot air out or create cross-breezes with multiple fans
- Check your mattress – Look for designs with airflow, ventilation and fabrics like our SmarTex® technology
Control Your Body Temperature
- Stay hydrated – Drink cool water before bed, and ideally avoid alcohol
- Wear light sleepwear: Loose, breathable fabrics like cotton or linen can help wick away sweat
- Take a lukewarm shower – Avoid cold water, which can cause your body to over-compensate by heating up
- Exercise earlier in the day – Evening workouts raise body temperature, making it harder to cool down
- Use an ice pack – Place it on your neck, head or back to lower body heat
Final word
Create a cooler, more comfortable sleep space with smart choices like breathable bedding and advanced mattress technology. Sealy Posturepedic beds offer solutions for every season, helping you rest easy. Explore our collections online or visit your nearest Sealy stockist to find your perfect match.
Simply answer a few quick questions and we’ll recommend the best mattress for your sleep profile. We can also send you a customised report, which you can take into a local Sealy stockist so you can experience your recommended bed.
FAQs
Health conditions, medications, synthetic bedding, heavy sleepwear, pets or plush mattresses can all contribute.
Adjust your environment with fans, breathable sheets, light clothing, lukewarm showers and ice packs.
Remove foam toppers, choose natural fibre sheets and consider a mattress designed for airflow.
Yes, especially synthetic or high thread count blankets; opt for natural fibres like cotton, bamboo or linen.
