During the summer, many people have more difficulty falling asleep than during other times of year. According to the National Sleep Foundation, there is an ideal temperature for our bodies to fall asleep. Unfortunately, during these summer heat waves, we find ourselves tossing and turning because the air is just too hot.

How to overcome the summer heat and get the sleep you deserve.

1. Keep your home cool. Keep shades and blinds drawn during the day and consider opening windows at night when the temperature drops.
2. Heat Rises. If you live in a multi-floor dwelling or have a basement, remember that you can always change sleeping rooms for those unbearably hot days and nights – the lower you go, the cooler it will be.
3. Before bed, a shower or bath may help you sleep better. Some even find a hot shower can help them sleep on warm nights as long as the shower steam does not increase the humidity too much.
4. Freeze a damp washcloth as a cool compress at night.
5. When using a fan, keep a path for airflow by opening bedroom doors. Additionally, a tray of ice in front of the fan cools the air blown around the room.
6. It does not seem like the summers are going to cool off any time soon. If you consistently find yourself having trouble sleeping due to heat and humidity, an air conditioner may be an investment worth considering.

Remember that sleep is important to your health. Rather than tossing and turning all night, try one of the tips to help you stay rested.