To fall asleep and stay asleep, having your bedroom the right temperature is key. While that number varies from person to person, a new study suggests older adults may want to bump the thermostat up at bedtime.
Researchers analyzed sleep and environmental data for 11-thousand nights of sleep for a group of 50 adults ages 65 and up, who wore devices to monitor their sleep for a full year. The data shows that bedroom temperatures between 68 and 77-degrees helped to “enhance sleep quality” in these seniors. That’s slightly warmer than the 60 to 67-degrees the National Sleep Foundation recommends for a comfy sleep environment for most folks, since being too hot while sleeping is associated with spending less time in the restorative sleep stage.
But study authors found that sleep efficiency only started to decrease in participants when temperatures were over 77-degrees. That may be because as you get older, it’s harder to regulate your internal temperature, so having a warmer room may help them sleep more soundly, according to sleep expert Dr. Carol Ash. But if you’re tossing and turning when it’s 75-degrees, find the right temperature for you as even small changes in temperature can affect sleep quality.
Source: Today
Scott's Thoughts:
- But if it’s not freezing in your bedroom, how can you cocoon yourself in blankets to sleep?
- I do not fit in this study. I am middle aged and I prefer it ice cold bundled in a comforter.
- The only thing cold on me is my feet.