Did you know your body temperature needs to drop for optimal REM sleep? This makes temperature regulation crucial for the quality rest your body needs. This recovery time is important for all of us, but particularly for active individuals whose ability to perform may hinge on how well they slept the night before.
Given the key role temperature regulation plays in quality sleep, it’s no wonder so many shoppers seek out the best cooling option when it’s time for a new mattress. Understanding why we overheat at night, and how cooling technologies work to keep you cool, can help you find the best cooling mattress for your unique sleep needs.
What Causes Night Sweats and Sleep Overheating
A number of physiological factors can cause us to overheat during sleep. Your body temperature naturally rises and falls in accordance with our circadian rhythms, starting to decrease approximately two hours before you even fall asleep and going up at different points during our sleep cycle.
As anyone experiencing menopause will tell you, fluctuating hormone levels can also have a profound effect on body temperature during sleep. Nothing ruins a good night’s sleep like waking up to sheets soaked by night sweats!
Your sleep environment also plays a big role in your temperature while sleeping. If your room is too warm and/or your bedding is too heavy, you may feel cozy when you get in bed — only to wake up sweaty and uncomfortable in the middle of the night.
Benefits of Temperature-Regulated Sleep for Recovery
In order for your body to heal from the stress and strain of daily activity, you need the right amount of REM sleep that is easiest to achieve at cooler temperatures. Most experts suggest keeping the temperature in your bedroom between 65 and 68 degrees for quality rest and overnight recovery.
How to Choose the Best Cooling Mattress
As you start your search for the best mattress for hot sleepers, a good first step is to gather information. First, narrow your focus to companies that offer a sleep trial. The only way to know for sure if a mattress is right for you is to spend a good chunk of time sleeping on it, which is why Bear offers a hassle-free 120-night mattress trial.
Next, read customer reviews to see what actual humans with similar sleep struggles are saying about the mattress, as well as expert round ups and rankings that highlight mattress performance data. Finally (and most importantly), school yourself on what cooling features to look for while mattress shopping.
Understanding Cooling Mattress Technologies
In order to find the best mattress for hot sleepers, you need to be up on the latest industry advancements. Mattress technology has come a long way since the days of lumpy old innersprings, and we utilize this tech to craft some of the best cooling mattresses on the market.
Here are some of the cooling materials and construction methods that make Bear mattresses sleep cool and comfortable all year ‘round.
Breathable Covers and Cool-Touch Fabrics
With select Bear mattresses, you have the option to upgrade to our Sleep Recovery Technology™ powered by Celliant®. With infrared technology, our Celliant infused covers help regulate your body temperature while promoting rejuvenating rest and quick recovery.
Even if you decide not to upgrade, you’ll still experience cool comfort with a Bear mattress. Our standard models have quick-drying and breathable covers that prevent heat from accumulating in your bed.
Copper and Gel Infused Foams
Bear also leverages cooling foam infusions across our mattress lineup. For example, the Elite Hybrid features copper-infused memory foam that whisks away your unwanted body heat, allowing for a balanced temperature distribution throughout the night. Copper also naturally creates an antiviral and antibacterial environment, providing you with a cool, clean sleep.
Meanwhile, cooling gel memory foam is a key feature of the Bear Original mattress. This specially formulated material draws away unwanted body heat while providing ample support.
Individually Wrapped Coil Systems and Airflow Designs
By nature, all-foam mattresses retain more heat than traditional innerspring beds. Fortunately, advanced hybrids offer a happy medium for hot sleepers who like the cushioning comfort of foam but want greater breathability. With open, individually wrapped coils, hybrid mattresses offer excellent airflow without sacrificing comfort and contouring.
Maximizing Your Cool Sleep Environment
Although investing in the right mattress is undoubtedly the most significant step when it comes to beating night sweats and sleeping better, there are other things you can do to support cool sleep.
In addition to adjusting your thermostat to the optimal sleep temperature of 65-68 degrees, consider choosing sleepwear and bedding made from breathable materials like cotton and linen that will allow air to circulate while you sleep. Layering blankets helps, too, since it lets you remove layers as needed to cool down.
Now that you understand the importance of temperature regulation for restful sleep that promotes recovery—and how the right mattress makes all the difference—you can create the optimal cooling sleep environment for you.
Disclaimer: Bear does not provide medical advice. All resources on the Bear blog, including this article, are informational only and do not replace professional medical counsel. Talk to your doctor about any health, mental health, or sleep-related issues.
