5 Toasty Tips for Warm Winter Sleep

If you've spent any time outside at all in the past few weeks, you've probably been thinking "Wow, it's getting pretty cold".

You're not the only one!

We're now into the season where winter jumpers and boots emerge from hibernation and the heating is pretty much always on full blast.

However, this also means it's time to get your sleep routine ready for winter, as getting too chilly at night can lead to disrupted sleep and can put you at risk of catching a chill.

To help you out, we've collected five toasty tips for warm winter sleep that you can put into action right away so you can keep warm at night.

Adjust your home's heating for winter

One of the best ways to prevent the cold from getting to you on winter nights is to adjust your heating.

Wondering what the ideal temperature is? The Sleep Charity recommends you keep it between 16-18°C, as the body finds it easier to relax in a slightly cooler climate.

They also mention that if the mercury drops to 12°C, this is the point where you will find it difficult to fall asleep.

While you may need to turn the thermostat up a little more to account for the winter cold, don't be tempted to up the temperature too much, as 24°C is the point where you start feeling restless.

And, remember that you only need to heat your bedroom at night, which means you can heat your home more efficiently at a lower cost!

Match your duvet tog to the temperature

It can be incredibly comforting to crawl under a warm, snuggly duvet when its chilly outside. However, you need to make sure your trusty quilt will offer enough warmth through the winter, and the best way to check this is by looking at its tog rating.

Tog rating? Well, it's the rating system used to measure how insulative a duvet is, with higher ratings capable of trapping more heat.

In winter, the most comfortable rating for most is around 12–13.5 tog, which is usually clearly labelled on a duvet product. Read our guide to tog ratings for even more information on these ratings.

Upgrade your bedding and check out our Evercomfy Autumn/Winter duvet, which is 13.5 tog and ideal for the cold months.

We also have an Autumn/Winter bedroom bundle and a deluxe bundle that contains everything you need to kit out your bed for the season.

Use layers of bedclothes for extra insulation

For some, the solution of having just one thick duvet in winter is not ideal as they find that, through the night, they become too warm and can't simply kick off the sheets.

If this sounds like you, there's nothing wrong! Everyone has their own temperatures when they're most comfortable.

To solve the problem, take a leaf out of the fashion world and layer your bedclothes up. You can try pairing a lighter Spring/Summer duvet with a top sheet and blankets to maintain insulation while giving you the option of removing any layers if you're too warm.

Treat yourself to some warm pyjamas

While getting your bed ready for winter is all well and good, you need to make sure you have some warm nightwear to keep out the cold when you're not under the covers.

Your go-to materials should be flannel and fleece, which will keep you nice and insulated, though you might need to upgrade to thermal fabric if the temperature is getting to you.

Pair your PJs with a snuggly dressing gown and slippers and you'll be all set to deal with those freezing evenings and mornings.

Get into a warming bedtime routine

If you often feel the cold at bedtime, it might be worth adopting a routine that is geared towards getting warm and staying warm.

Not only will this help with the temperature, but, if you stick to your routine every night, your body clock will begin to recognise its time for sleep to make drifting off easier.

For example, you can do some light calisthenic exercises before turning in that will get your blood circulating healthily and your body nicely warmed up. You can then jump into bed and trap some of that heat under your covers to stay nice and toasty.

Do you like a spot of supper before you go to bed? If so, get into the routine of eating a high-calorie, high-fat snack — a boiled egg, almonds, or peanut butter on toast will do the trick — so that your body heats nicely as it digests the food.

Avoid eating super spicy or greasy items, as these will put your digestive system into overdrive and make it harder to snooze.

You should also try to avoid drinking a lot of liquids in the hour or so before bed, as well as nipping to the loo just before you turn in. After all, there's nothing worse than getting all cosy and settled to realise that you need to head back out into the cold to use the toilet.

Keep these tips in mind and you'll be all set to stay warm through the winter season. Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions and be sure to check out our blog regularly, as well as our guide section for more expert sleep guidance.