Jason Fitzpatrick
If you share a bedroom with somebody, there’s a good chance you may have had a disagreement or two about what temperature you should keep it at—but if you want the science-backed way to sleep better, deeper, and longer, then colder is better.
While you might have a strong opinion about the matter (and your significant may too), the actual research indicates that there are a host of benefits to sleeping in a cooler room. Your body produces fewer stress hormones in a colder environment; it works less to cool itself (decreased core and brain temperature are part of the process of slipping into a deep sleep), and in studies colder sleeping conditions yielded more alert people come morning.
So how cool should you keep it? At The Atlantic they summarize the research and suggest:
In light of this physiology, sleep experts unanimously suggest keeping your bedroom cooler than the standard daytime temperature of your home. There is no universally accepted temperature that is the correct one, but various medical entities have suggested ideal temperature ranges. The most common recommendation, cited by places like the Cleveland Clinic and the National Sleep Foundation, is 60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit. Within that range, experts vary. A neurologist in Virginia told Health.com that the magic number is 65. Others have advised an upper limit of 64.
Need more evidence to convince your family to sleep cooler? You can read the full article here. Already turned down the temperature and still need a little extra help nodding off with a partner beside you? We’ve got you covered.
