9 ways to stay warm on the long, cold nights

When it comes to sleeping, your body prefers to be cold rather than hot. The problem is, with our Irish weather, our bedrooms can get too cold making it impossible to get comfortable enough to fall asleep. Following these simple steps should help you keep warm and happy during these cold winter nights.

1. Exercise before bed. Don’t worry, you don’t need to run a marathon. Some light exercise such as stretching will raise your body temperature as you prepare to hit the hay.

2. Have a hot drink. A nice herbal tea will warm you right up and help you relax before bed. Avoid caffeine, obviously.

3. Draw yourself a bath. Not only will a hot shower or bath help you unwind after a long, hard day, it will also heat your body up for the long cold night.

4. Dress appropriately. Layering your clothes is a great way of regulating your body temperature. This allows you the freedom to take clothes off if you get too hot and to put them back on if you get too cold.

5. Keep extra blankets nearby. As it gets progressively colder throughout the night, the duvet you started out with might not be enough. Keep additional blankets at the foot of your bed. Layering multiple blankets will heat your sleeping area right up.

6. Invest in a hot water bottle. Placing a hot water bottle by your feet is a great way of staying warm during the night because your feet are often the first bard of your body to get cold.

7. Wear warm socks. Keep those feet nice and toasty with a comfortable pair of wool socks. Even if you don’t feel as though you need them on a given night, leave them near your bed - just in case.

8. Block drafts. You’d be surprised by how strong and cold the gusts of wind that creep through your windows and under your doors can be. Take steps to cover any potential drafts and you could notice a significant increase in room temperature.

9. Avail of body heat. Steady… If you happen to have a sleeping partner, moving closer to them and availing of their natural body heat can keep you warm throughout the night.

For more information on a whole host of interesting topics, check out our earlier blog posts or get in touch with us today.

Stay warm,

The Team at GMIB.ie