If you feel too hot when sleeping (or trying to sleep), you're not alone. According to poll by Gallup, 57% of adults in the US report at least occasionally being too hot while sleeping. It also found that sleeping too hot was the third-most-commonly noted cause of poor sleep. The top two reasons were the need to use the bathroom and the physical state (trouble breathing, illness, discomfort, etc.).
Overheating can result from many different factors, including your sleep hygiene and environment. Certain mattress and pillow materials, like memory foam, may inadvertently contribute to the heat problem. While these materials offer excellent support and comfort, they tend to trap heat, creating unwelcome warmth that disrupts sleep.
Thankfully, the latest mattress technologies are addressing this issue. This article will explore innovations like cooling gels, breathable fabrics, and temperature-regulating materials and explain how these technologies dissipate heat and provide a more comfortable sleeping environment.
Temperature and Sleep Quality
Temperature plays a crucial role in regulating our sleep-wake cycle. As bedtime approaches, our body temperature naturally decreases to initiate sleep. A cooler sleep environment supports this natural process, helping us ease into slumber more comfortably. It also helps us stay asleep also helps us stay asleep all night long. Conversely, a too-warm environment can disrupt this delicate balance, leading to restless nights and diminished sleep quality.
When you consistently fail to get restful sleep, you may begin to experience a range of physical and mental health issues like:
- Persistent fatigue and daytime sleepiness.
- Impaired cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and problem-solving, hindering overall mental acuity.
- Mood disorders like irritability, mood swings, and an increased risk of depression and anxiety.
- Imbalances in hunger hormones, potentially leading to weight gain and an increased risk of metabolic conditions.
- Impaired motor skills and coordination, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries.
- Amplified stress levels, making it more challenging to cope with daily challenges and contributing to a cycle of heightened stress.
- Elevated risk of cardiovascular issues, including hypertension and an increased likelihood of heart disease.
Addressing the Issue: Cooling Mattress Technologies
Cooling mattress technology uses various materials to absorb or draw away heat. Cooling systems can be anything from breathable fabrics to cooling gels to temperature-regulating materials. Here's a quick look at how innovative materials and technologies dissipate heat and provide a more comfortable sleeping environment.
Cooling Gel
Many manufacturers now incorporate a layer of gel-infused memory foam or gel beads to address the issue of heat retention during sleep. Gel has conductive properties that allow it to absorb excess heat and transfer it from the body. Therefore, as the body releases heat during sleep, the gel absorbs and disperses it throughout the mattress. This process prevents heat from being trapped in one area, creating a more evenly-cooled sleeping surface.
Some advanced cooling mattresses incorporate phase change materials, which can absorb, store, and release heat when needed. They can regulate temperature by adapting to the surrounding conditions, helping keep the mattress surface cool.
As a bonus, the cooling gel layer offers additional support and cushioning, which can be great for people with medical conditions. But the main downside is that these mattresses are prone to damage since the fiber material can puncture or lose its shape without proper care.
Temperature-Regulating Materials
As the name suggests, these mattresses are fitted with cooling technology that allows for temperature regulation and can be adjusted to the desired temperature. This makes these mattresses ideal for those who wish to customize the cooling of their mattress.
Some temperature control mattresses can equipped with built-in micro-tubes integrated to circulate water evenly and regulate the surface temperature. Others may use fans or air circulation mechanisms to help circulate air through the mattress layers and prevent heat buildup.
There are also temperature-control mattresses with smart technology that monitors and adjusts the bed's temperature throughout the night. These mattresses may have sensors that detect changes in body temperature and adjust the mattress temperature accordingly to keep you cool.
Breathable Fabrics
Breathable mattress materials have an open-cell structure that allows the free flow of air and prevents heat from becoming trapped. They may also feature specific designs with ventilation channels in the top layers to promote air circulation.
Air flow promotes ventilation and heat dissipation and, therefore, creates a more comfortable sleeping environment. Breathable fabrics also have moisture-wicking properties and can draw moisture (such as sweat) away from the body and to the outer surface of the fabric, where it can evaporate. This evaporation process helps to cool the body and keep the sleep surface dry.
The Bedding Mart Selection of Mattresses That Use Cooling Technologies
At the Bedding Mart, we proudly offer a curated selection of mattresses featuring cutting-edge cooling technologies designed to enhance your sleep experience. Our collection prioritizes advanced materials and innovative designs to create a cooler and more restful night's sleep.
Explore our range of mattresses infused with cooling gel technology. For example, our Beautyrest Harmony Lux Hybrid Collection uses a blend of innovative foams, including their unique RightTemp™ Memory Foam. These pull heat away from the sleep surface, leaving your body cool, while offering crucial support to your back and neck. At the same time, the Beautyrest® Pocketed Coil™ Technology provides flexible support precisely where needed and isolates motion between two sleepers.
Our TEMPUR-Breeze Collection is also designed to keep even the warmest sleepers cool. These mattresses are designed in a state-of-the-art thermal lab to help manage the micro-climate between your mattress and cover to keep you cool when you lie down, fall asleep and all night long. The all-night cooling technologies promote extreme breathability and noticeable surface cooling.
The best part is our mattress collection comes in all sizes, including twin, twin extra-long, full, queen, king, California king, and The Family Bed. If you sleep hot, sleep with a partner, live in a hot climate area or have a history of back pain, consider investing in one of our cool mattresses to help improve your sleep comfort.
