You’ve probably already woken up a few nights covered in sweat or freezing. Recent research suggests that 67-68 degrees Fahrenheit is the ideal bedroom temperature for sleeping, but the question should be whether everyone sleeps best at such temperature. Well, the answer is different from person to person, and figuring out the optimal sleep temperature isn’t always so clear-cut.
Furthermore, the best sleep temperature isn’t always consistent since it varies with age. As our bodies change in life, so should sleep temperature. Babies and kids should normally sleep around 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit, while adults should sleep in a bit colder environment, around 60-68 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sleep quality decreases when temperatures radically increase or drop in the bedroom, and should never go above 75 degrees Fahrenheit or below 54 degrees Fahrenheit, since that greatly disrupts your sleep.
Men and women also have different preferences in terms of optimal sleep temperatures: the former often prefer slightly colder bedrooms than the latter because of differences in metabolism among gender.
And if you suffer from insomnia, sleeping below 67 degrees Fahrenheit may help to improve sleep quality and quantity.
Your bed temperature also affects what temperature your room should be at night. If you normally sleep hot, it might be because your current mattress does not provide proper airflow, thus trapping heat. Before you adjust the thermostat in your room, consider the hypothesis that your bed may be the main culprit for sleeping too hot (or too cold).
Ultimately, 67-68 degrees Fahrenheit is a great temperature range to start out with. If you wake up shivering or sweating, increase or decrease the temperature accordingly to get the best possible sleep.
