Princeton Happenings

The hot summer is just beginning which means we will have many warm nights in our future! Rather than sweating it out, here are some tips for staying cool while you sleep that don’t include cranking the air conditioning!

1. Keep the sun out! Rather than open your shades first thing in the morning on a hot day, keep them closed in your bedroom! Keeping your room dark will help keep the temperature down all day.

2. Eat lighter meals! Remember this….the larger the meal you eat, the more metabolic heat you will generate. When the weather is hot outside, try eating a lighter fare for dinner like salads and fresh fruit.

3. Keep your head cool! Smaller firmer pillows won’t trap as much heat while you sleep as big, fluffy ones will! Make sure your pillowcases are made of a breathable fabric too – not a heavy flannel.

4. Circulate a fan! About an hour before you’re ready to hit the sheets, start circulating a fan around your bedroom and close the door.

5. Freeze your sheets! It may sound a little crazy, but throw your top sheet in the freezer for several minutes before you’re ready to call it a night. This won’t keep you cool ALL night, but it will allow some quick relief on sweltering days.

6. Cool your pressure points! Take an icepack or ice cube and place it on your pulse points for a few seconds. These include your wrists, your neck, behind your knees and your ankles.