Is there an ideal temperature to be able to rest well? A group of researchers recruited 50 volunteers, all over the age of 60 and living in Boston, to try to answer this question, and the conclusion is that The best temperature to sleep well is between 20 and 25°C, according to a study published by the journal Science of Total Evironment.
“Sleep tends to be easier and often deeper and more restful in a cooler environment,” lead author Amir Baniassadi wrote in a statement co-published by Harvard University and the nonprofit Hebrew SeniorLife.
“This is not arbitrary, but has its origin in our biology. Our body temperature naturally drops at night, helping to initiate and maintain sleep. When the environment in which we sleep is too hot, it can interfere with this drop in temperature and disturb sleep,” added the health researcher.
Importance of good sleep for health
Previous studies have mentioned the importance of good sleep to maintain good health and quality of life. The lack of hours of sleep, the interruptions and, on this occasion, the temperature, could play against a good quality of rest.
“Sleep disorders can cause memory problems, increased risk of falls and decreased ability to perform daily activities. It can also affect our mood and our general sense of well-being,” added Baniassadi.
Up to 10% reduction in sleep quality
The scientists detected with portable sleep monitors and environmental sensors that, in the temperature range of 25 to 30°C, the participants experienced a drop of up to 10% in sleep efficiency, a percentage that should not be underestimated.
“Our findings demonstrated that sleep was most efficient and restful when the nighttime ambient temperature ranged between 20 and 25°C, with a clinically relevant 5-10% drop in sleep efficiency when the temperature increased from 25°C to 30°C. °C,” the team noted in the study.
Emphasis on climate change and rising temperatures
The specialists also make a call to better prepare nursing homes and private properties due to the increase in temperatures that climate change brings with it.
“These results highlight the potential to improve sleep quality in older adults by optimizing home thermal environments and emphasize the importance of personalized temperature adjustments based on individual needs and circumstances,” they noted.
“In addition, our study underscores the potential impact of climate change on sleep quality in older adults, particularly those of lower socioeconomic status, and supports increasing their adaptive capacity in the face of a changing climate,” they concluded.
Keep reading:
* Why do we go over our concerns before bed?
* 5 tips to sleep well when it’s very hot
* Why is it good to sleep naked?
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